The Institut Pasteur de Dakar and the Mastercard Foundation have committed $45m towards achieving vaccine manufacturing autonomy in Africa.
A statement signed by both organisations said that the partnership, named, ‘Manufacturing in Africa for disease immunisation and building autonomy,’ aimed at developing and building a world-class workforce to support vaccine manufacturing.
It added that a centre of training excellence to equip talented young people, particularly young women, with specialised skills in vaccine research, manufacturing, production, and distribution would be established.
Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, said that “Between 9,000 and 14,000 full-time employees will be needed across vaccine manufacturing and research roles across Africa by 2040.
“The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Union together have called for a new public health order which will safeguard the health and economic security of the continent as it strives to meet the aspirations of Agenda 2063. A key pillar of this vision seeks to expand the local manufacture of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
“Presently, less than one percent of vaccines administered on the continent are manufactured locally. This places a great financial burden on the health systems of African countries and reduces their ability to respond to pandemics and other health crises.”
The Chief Executive Officer, IPD, Amadou Sall, added that the partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and IPD would enhance human capital development for biomanufacturing in Africa.
President, and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, Reeta Roy, said that the collaboration would also benefit the livelihoods of young people in Africa.
