Africa is seeking health security by promoting local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines. Dr Ngashi Ngongo, Principal Advisor to the Director General of Africa CDC, says that building a domestic production capacity could revolutionize access to life‑saving products and represent a crucial step toward health independence and sovereignty.
Today, the continent produces less than 1 % of the vaccines it uses and under 5 % of diagnostic tests, making it almost entirely dependent on external sources. This reliance leaves Africa vulnerable during crises, as demonstrated by the COVID‑19 pandemic when wealthier nations blocked vaccine exports. In response, African leaders have pledged that at least 60 % of the continent’s health products should be produced locally by 2040.
Ngongo stresses that a complete, sustainable African manufacturing ecosystem is needed, rather than piecemeal solutions from external partners. He identifies five pillars for success: research, infrastructure, talent, financing, and regulation. The African Medicines Agency (AMA) will play a central role in ensuring the quality and safety of locally manufactured medical products.
Market demand is also critical. Ngongo cites Senegal’s Institut Pasteur, which developed a COVID‑19 diagnostic test but struggled to sell it due to insufficient continental demand. To address this, the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM) is being established to coordinate joint purchasing and support local manufacturers.
Beyond manufacturing, Africa CDC is leveraging domestic resources and innovative financing to maintain outbreak preparedness. Its Green Paper on Financing outlines a strategy based on four principles: increasing domestic resources, promoting innovative financing, engaging the private sector, and combating corruption.
Data sovereignty is another priority. Ngongo warns that “the one that controls your data controls you,” and Africa CDC is working to strengthen data ownership through digitization, integration of NGO‑managed data into national systems, and the creation of a Continental Data Centre.
The push for local manufacturing and health security is a significant step toward universal health coverage and health sovereignty in Africa. As Ngongo notes, “health is one of the strongest sectors of any economy,” and domestic production can retain economic value, create jobs, and improve the social determinants of health.
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