Strengthening Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa: Insights from the Advancing Regional Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa (ARMA) Programme, 2022–2025
1
Afya na Haki Institute, Nakwero-Kampala, Uganda
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Africa produces less than 1% of the vaccines it needs, despite accounting for 17% of the global population.1 The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these vulnerabilities. In 2022, the Advancing Regional Vaccine Manufacturing and Access in Africa (ARMA) Programme—hosted by Afya na Haki (Ahaki) in Kampala, Uganda—was launched and is now in its third year, covering East, West, and Southern Africa.2 ARMA supports the African Union’s target of 60% local vaccine production by 2040.3 This abstract synthesises ARMA’s multi-country evidence base, drawing on: (a) comparative regulatory analyses of National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs); (b) mapping of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and their manufacturing mandates; (c) capacity assessments of vaccine-related facilities; (d) policy and legislative reviews on intellectual property (IP), technology transfer, procurement, and DFI financing; and (e) engagements with regulators, manufacturers, financiers, and civil society actors through convenings. Fewer than 10 African manufacturers across five countries have any vaccine-production capacity—most are limited to fill-and-finish.4 Upstream antigen-production capacity remains limited, causing a structural imbalance in the ecosystem.5 Regulatory fragmentation across RECs leads to approval delays of 12–24 months, while pooled procurement mechanisms remain absent. DFIs continue to prioritise downstream production over developing the whole ecosystem. Although initiatives such as Africa CDC’s PAVM, AUDA-NEPAD’s AMRH, and the African Medicines Agency (AMA) have advanced continental coordination, inconsistent domestication and political delays limit their impact. ARMA identifies enablers, including operationalising AMA, demand consolidation, blended financing, equitable IP/tech transfer, and Africentric governance.3,6,7 Africa’s vaccine future requires more than technology; it demands governance reform, regulatory alignment, and political commitment. Strengthening RECs, empowering NMRAs, domesticating AMA instruments, and institutionalising pooled procurement are essential foundations for a sovereign and resilient African vaccine ecosystem. ARMA offers a strategic, evidence-based roadmap to realise this vision.
Africa produces less than 1% of the vaccines it needs, despite accounting for 17% of the global population.1 The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these vulnerabilities. In 2022, the Advancing Regional Vaccine Manufacturing and Access in Africa (ARMA) Programme—hosted by Afya na Haki (Ahaki) in Kampala, Uganda—was launched and is now in its third year, covering East, West, and Southern Africa.2 ARMA supports the African Union’s target of 60% local vaccine production by 2040.3 This abstract synthesises ARMA’s multi-country evidence base, drawing on: (a) comparative regulatory analyses of National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs); (b) mapping of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and their manufacturing mandates; (c) capacity assessments of vaccine-related facilities; (d) policy and legislative reviews on intellectual property (IP), technology transfer, procurement, and DFI financing; and (e) engagements with regulators, manufacturers, financiers, and civil society actors through convenings. Fewer than 10 African manufacturers across five countries have any vaccine-production capacity—most are limited to fill-and-finish.4 Upstream antigen-production capacity remains limited, causing a structural imbalance in the ecosystem.5 Regulatory fragmentation across RECs leads to approval delays of 12–24 months, while pooled procurement mechanisms remain absent. DFIs continue to prioritise downstream production over developing the whole ecosystem. Although initiatives such as Africa CDC’s PAVM, AUDA-NEPAD’s AMRH, and the African Medicines Agency (AMA) have advanced continental coordination, inconsistent domestication and political delays limit their impact. ARMA identifies enablers, including operationalising AMA, demand consolidation, blended financing, equitable IP/tech transfer, and Africentric governance.3,6,7 Africa’s vaccine future requires more than technology; it demands governance reform, regulatory alignment, and political commitment. Strengthening RECs, empowering NMRAs, domesticating AMA instruments, and institutionalising pooled procurement are essential foundations for a sovereign and resilient African vaccine ecosystem. ARMA offers a strategic, evidence-based roadmap to realise this vision.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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