Regional High-Level Dialogue on Advancing Local Vaccine Manufacturing and Access in Africa

Regional High-Level Dialogue on Advancing Local Vaccine Manufacturing and Access in Africa

Date: 07th November 2023

Organizers: Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) Uganda and Afya na Haki (Ahaki), among other partners.

Event Overview: SEATINI Uganda, a Pan-African NGO dedicated to fostering equitable development through pro-development trade, investment, and fiscal policies, in partnership with Ahaki and other consortium partners, is convening a pivotal regional high-level dialogue. This event is a cornerstone of the ‘Advancing Regional Vaccine Manufacturing and Access in Africa (ARMA)’ project, which aims to catalyze strategic advocacy and research to bolster regional vaccine production capabilities within Africa.

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for equitable and universal vaccine access, highlighting Africa’s unsustainable reliance on external vaccine sources. With the continent producing less than 1% of its vaccine needs, the dialogue seeks to address systemic disparities and foster self-reliance in vaccine manufacturing. This initiative aligns with the African Union’s ambitious goal of achieving 60% local vaccine production by 2040 through the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM).

Objectives: The dialogue will focus on:

• Examining the impact of trade and related policies on local vaccine manufacturing and access.
• Encouraging regional collaboration in policy formulation and harmonization.
• Establishing a multi-sectoral platform for stakeholders to discuss the current state of vaccine manufacturing and access.
• Sharing new evidence to empower African institutions in achieving health sovereignty.

Expected Outcomes:

• Establishment of a coordinated platform for stakeholders to advance regional vaccine manufacturing.
• Strengthened multi-sectoral collaboration for policy advocacy.
• A campaign roadmap to promote regional vaccine manufacturing and access.
• Enhanced understanding among stakeholders of the evidence needed to strengthen African institutions in health sovereignty.

Participants: The dialogue will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations, private sector representatives, academia, project partners from across Africa, regional and national bodies such as Africa CDC, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), CSOs, ARMA partners, National Regional Authorities (NRAs), and media.

This high-level dialogue represents a concerted effort to address the urgent need for Africa to establish a self-sufficient vaccine manufacturing industry. It is a call to action for regional actors to unite in creating a sustainable and equitable future for healthcare in Africa.