In a groundbreaking effort to enhance access to vaccines, medicines, and health technologies in Africa, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (“MAV+”) have collaborated on an ambitious initiative. The result? A two-week study tour across Germany and Belgium in September 2024, bringing together health experts from Africa to explore the vaccine and pharmaceutical ecosystem in Europe.
Seventeen health experts representing five African Union Member States, a Regional Economic Community, and Africa CDC participated in the tour. Each participant was selected based on their work in supporting vaccine manufacturing and health commodities in Africa. The partnership between Africa CDC and the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies (MAV+) aims to develop sustainable biomanufacturing capacities and foster deeper cooperation between the two continents.
I am grateful for the support and resources you have provided, and I look forward to applying what I have learned to contribute to the advancement of vaccine production in Africa.
The participants engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in both the private and public sectors, from research institutions and development agencies, such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Germany and Enabel in Belgium, to regulatory bodies and the European Commission. The tour provided a unique opportunity to build connections, advocate for investment in Africa’s healthcare infrastructure, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.
The sessions kickstarted thinking and discussions amongst Africa CDC colleagues about how we – as an organisation and as a continent – can leverage the work being done in Europe. Stronger North-South partnerships can contribute to our goal of sustainable local manufacturing.
The study tour had clear objectives:
- To apply lessons learned from European private sector practices, R&D institutions, and development partners to create a sustainable biomanufacturing ecosystem in Africa.
- To increase awareness in Europe of Africa’s progress and ongoing initiatives in local manufacturing of health products.
- To strengthen connections across Africa and Europe and foster greater integration of activities at the national, regional, and continental levels in Africa.
The study tour marks just one of the many collaborative efforts between Africa CDC and Team Europe Initiative MAV+ to promote sustainable manufacturing and improve access to vaccines and medicines in Africa. With active participation from various institutions and individuals, the partnership is laying a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the months and years to come.
