Ensuring vaccine access through local production: the need for a harmonized and sustainable approach

Local vaccine and pharmaceutical production has transitioned from a mere policy option to an essential requirement in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Developed countries' vaccine nationalism and hoarding through bilateral agreements with manufacturers left African countries with minimal access to vaccines. As Africa strives for self-sufficiency in vaccine development and pharmaceutical manufacturing by aiming to produce 60 percent of the continent's vaccine doses through indigenous manufacturing by 2040, it is crucial to examine existing initiatives and the roles of foreign players, especially China. In the first section, this article examines and evaluates regional initiatives aimed at promoting local production in Africa, focusing on efforts at global, continental, and regional levels to boost the manufacturing of vaccines and pharmaceuticals on the continent. The second section shifts focus to China's role in Africa's healthcare sector and highlights Chinese-backed pharmaceutical companies involved in vaccine and pharmaceutical production on the continent. The paper concludes by advocating for a harmonized and sustainable approach to local manufacturing. Specifically, the article argues that for these initiatives, whether government-backed or private investment, to succeed, there is a critical need to harmonize regulations, streamline procurement, diversify production, and address the challenge posed by intellectual property rights.