A new $1.2 billion programme to massively boost vaccine production in Africa was launched on Thursday, aiming to give the continent more sovereignty to fight numerous diseases including a cholera resurgence.
Nigeria and other African countries will benefit from the funding being put in place by world leaders, health groups, and pharmaceutical firms to produce vaccines on the continent.
Already, there is an outbreak of cholera in Lagos State, which has led to loss of lives in the last few weeks.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, said at the opening of the summit in Paris that the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator would be an essential step towards a genuine African vaccine market.
Three-quarters of this funding would come from Europe, Macron told the summit, which was also attended by leaders from Botswana, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana, as well as visiting ministers, health groups and pharmaceutical firms.
Germany will contribute $318 billion to the scheme, German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said in a video message. France put in $100 million and the UK $60 million, while other donors include the United States, Canada, Norway, Japan and the Gates Foundation.
African Union Commission’s Moussa Faki Mahamat said: “The scheme could become a catalyst for promoting the pharmaceutical industry in Africa and fostering collaboration between member states. Africa imports 99 percent of its vaccines at an exorbitant cost.”
