Ethiopia Advances Local Vaccine Manufacturing as Part of Africa’s Health Vision.

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia is taking bold steps to realize Africa’s vision of local vaccine production, a cornerstone of the African Union’s strategy to manufacture 60 percent of the continent’s vaccine needs by 2040, Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba said. Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Regional Advisory Committee meeting on Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRR) in Addis Ababa, Dr. Mekdes underscored the Ethiopian government’s commitment to addressing the continent’s gaps in vaccine access exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia has emerged as a key player in this vision. In August 2023, Ethiopia launched ShieldVax Enterprise to spearhead local vaccine manufacturing. This initiative has already achieved key milestones, including securing funding from the World Bank, allocating 24,000 hectares at the Kilinto Industrial Park for vaccine production facilities, and assembling a team of international consultants and critical staff. Facility de
sign has advanced significantly, and construction is set to begin soon, the Minister highlighted.

She also emphasized the role of regulatory readiness in achieving this vision, noting that the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) is on track to achieve WHO ML-3 regulatory capacity by early 2025. Furthermore, Ethiopia’s Armauer Hansen Research Institute is strengthening its research and development capabilities to support the domestic production of vaccines.

Partnerships play a pivotal role in these efforts. Ethiopia collaborates with regional blocs such as the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to foster competitive and sustainable local manufacturing. These collaborations, according to the Minister, will be instrumental in building resilient health systems across Africa and ensuring equitable access to life-saving medicines and vaccines.

The ongoing meeting in Addis Ababa, which has brought together representatives from
the World Bank, WHO-AFRO, Africa CDC, IGAD, and several African countries, aims to assess progress on regional health initiatives, address gaps, and strategize for future resilience. She also explained the Ethiopian government’s dedication to vaccine manufacturing underscores its leadership in shaping a healthier and more self-reliant Ethiopia.

Dr. Mekdes concluded by reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to regional collaboration, highlighting that partnerships and shared responsibility are essential to overcoming challenges and building sustainable health systems that serve the continent’s needs. A three-day Second High-Level Meeting of the Regional Advisory Committee on Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRR) kicked off today.