WHO Africa and International Vaccine Institute Partner to Boost Vaccine Production on the Continent
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have signed a landmark agreement to strengthen Africa’s capacity in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the 75th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, Zambia (25–27 August 2025). It underscores a joint commitment to advancing vaccine equity, local production, and health innovation—seen as critical steps toward Africa’s health sovereignty and pandemic preparedness.
The agreement was formalized by Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, and Dr Jerome H. Kim, Director General of IVI.
“This MoU comes at a pivotal moment for Africa’s health future. By joining forces with IVI, we are investing in the continent’s capacity to produce vaccines locally, respond to emerging health threats, and reduce dependency on external supply chains. It’s a step toward equity, resilience, and self-reliance,” said Dr Janabi.
Dr Kim stressed the importance of Africa’s leadership in vaccine innovation:
“IVI is proud to partner with WHO to support Africa’s leadership in vaccine innovation. Together, we will advance clinical research, regulatory harmonization, and technology transfer to ensure that African countries are not just recipients of vaccines—but producers and innovators.”
Key Areas of Collaboration
The MoU sets out five priority areas:
- Vaccine R&D and clinical trials – supporting African-led research on diseases of regional concern.
- Regulatory strengthening – enhancing the capacity of national authorities and harmonizing standards across countries.
- Local manufacturing – facilitating technology transfer and investments in production hubs across Africa.
- Workforce development – building skills in vaccinology, biomanufacturing, and regulatory sciences.
- Emergency preparedness – boosting Africa’s ability to respond swiftly to outbreaks with coordinated vaccine deployment.
Why It Matters
The agreement comes at a time when global health financing is under pressure, making regional partnerships more important than ever. By building Africa’s own vaccine production and innovation ecosystem, WHO Africa and IVI aim to ensure that the continent is better prepared for future health emergencies, while also improving access to life-saving vaccines for millions.
This collaboration marks a bold step in Africa’s journey toward self-reliance in health care—transforming the continent from a recipient of medical solutions into a producer and global leader in vaccine innovation.
