Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention welcomes a $180 million investment partnership aimed at expanding vaccine manufacturing capacity across Africa and strengthening the continent’s health security.
The agency on Tuesday says the financing agreement involving Biovac and Proparco marks a major step towards increasing local pharmaceutical production.
Africa CDC announces the development during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, describing the investment as critical to advancing Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda.
According to the agency, the funding supports expansion of a multi-vaccine manufacturing facility, technology transfer, production scale-up and working capital.
The financing consortium includes backing from the European Investment Bank and the International Finance Corporation, with additional support expected from African development finance institutions.
Africa CDC says guarantees from the European Commission help unlock part of the investment.
Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, describes the deal as a defining moment for the continent’s health future.
“This investment reflects strong confidence in Africa’s manufacturing potential,” Kaseya says.
“In a world of evolving and unpredictable health threats, local manufacturing capacity is not optional — it is essential.”
Africa CDC also acknowledges support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator for helping create pathways for locally produced vaccines to reach the market.
The African Union aims to produce 60 per cent of vaccines used across the continent locally by 2040 as part of broader efforts to reduce dependence on imports.
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Otamere Gladness 
Korede Abdullah 