Manufacturing of health products in Africa – a paradigm change happening now  

The manufacturing of medicines and vaccines in Africa is an urgent necessity for the continent’s public health, economic stability, and sovereignty. Analysis of local and regional trial initiatives, funding strategies, and network models illustrated in the attached clinical trial presentation template demonstrates that establishing local pharmaceutical production capability is the linchpin to driving positive change across multiple domains. 

Ensuring public health security 

Africa has historically depended on imported medicines and vaccines, which leaves the region vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, protectionist policies, and delays in accessing life-saving interventions. Local manufacturing provides countries with the ability to respond rapidly to emerging health threats such as pandemics, allocate resources based on epidemiological priorities, and ensure that supply is uninterrupted even during global crises. Effective deployment during a pandemic relies upon functioning domestic production and trial networks. 

Accelerating innovation and pandemic preparedness 

It is a bare necessity to build robust vaccine clinical trial networks and local production units on the continent. These networks—when organized in and for Africa—enable the rapid conduction of Phase 1-4 studies, fostering timely access to advanced technologies and protocols tailored to regional epidemics. Establishing manufacturing plants close to research and trial sites shortens development cycles and improves responsiveness; this proximity drives locally-adapted innovation, ensuring new products reflect Africa’s unique disease landscape and population needs. 

Reducing economic vulnerability 

Reliance on international suppliers often comes at a greater cost and unpredictability, which can strain government budgets and create treatment inequities. By investing in local manufacturing, African countries retain more value within the continent’s economy. Skilled jobs are created throughout the production chain, from research and testing to distribution. Moreover, operational costs can be mitigated through targeted strategies such as accelerating regulatory review and leveraging local expertise, both highlighted in network models described in the attached presentation. These measures help ensure that medicines and vaccines can be produced more affordably and flexibly within Africa. 

Strengthening regulatory ecosystems 

The ability to manufacture medicines locally tightly coupled with establishing robust regulatory frameworks. Local networks develop standardized contracting, formal governance structures, and institutional partnerships that foster high-quality assurance and Good Clinical Practice standards. Regulatory capacity also grows through hands-on experience, preparing nations to set and enforce testing standards, ensuring efficacy and safety according to global benchmarks. This builds confidence among both the public and the international medical community in products manufactured on the continent. 

Building medical sovereignty and regional leadership 

African-led manufacture of pharmaceuticals empowers nations to chart their own public health policies and vaccine priorities. Instead of relying on external donors or commercial interests, governments and research centers direct investment toward diseases and treatments most relevant to their populations. Networks like those described for Singapore’s vaccine hub can serve as a model—if adapted for Africa, they enable regional collaboration, allow early technology transfer, and establish Africa as a leader, not just a recipient, in global medical innovation. 

Fostering collaboration and regional security 

A resilient network of clinical trial and manufacturing centers unlocks pan-African collaboration, allowing multiple nations to pool resources, talent, and infrastructure. Coordinating trials and production across borders strengthens regional supply chains, improves surge capacity during crises, and ensures that vaccines and medicines can be shared equitably and efficiently. Such frameworks position Africa to negotiate better terms in global procurement and enforce vaccine equity even during worldwide shortages. 

Conclusion 

Local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines in Africa is no longer a strategic luxury—it is a fundamental requirement for the continent’s health, prosperity, and autonomy. Using models exemplified in modern clinical trial hubs, Africa’s investment into pharmaceutical production will deliver not only rapid, context-specific responses to outbreaks, but long-term economic and social dividends through skilled jobs and medical sovereignty. By prioritizing onsite manufacturing, African countries will close gaps in public health access and establish themselves as global leaders in medical innovation and pandemic preparedness. 

By Petro Terblanche (CEO, Afrigen) and Joe Schmitt (Editor-in-Chief, GHP)