Vaccine are one of humanity’s greatest achievements, but their distribution is not equal.
In Africa, 98.9% of the continent’s vaccine supply is produced outside of the continent. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this weakness: During the COVID-19 pandemic, this became a big issue as rich countries monopolized vaccines. Wealthy nations monopolized doses, African countries were left waiting, and vulnerable.
In 2021, the African Union and Africa CDC set a bold goal to prevent this from happening again. They set out to produce 60% of the continent’s vaccines by 2040. This means more than just putting labels on bottles — it means creating a thriving ecosystem of manufacturing facilities, skilled scientists and technicians, robust regulatory systems, and dependable supply chains. It means vaccine sovereignty — here’s a closer look at how it’s becoming a reality.
The high stakes of sovereignty
The road ahead is steep. To meet the 2040 target, Africa must produce 1.5 billion vaccines per year. That’s 73 times more than what the continent currently produces.
Scaling up production means building dozens of facilities from the ground up, training thousands of workers, and navigating complex logistics — all while competing with global suppliers that benefit from decades of head starts and economies of scale.
But it’s not just a health issue — it’s an economic one too. Vaccine production can drive job creation, stimulate local economies, and reduce dependency on foreign aid. It’s about dignity, resilience, and the right to determine your own future in the face of pandemics or outbreaks.
This is where Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, comes in.
The catalyst behind the curtain
In 2024, Gavi launched the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), and pledged up to $1 billion to help kickstart African vaccine production.
But this isn’t just about writing checks. It’s about shifting the rules of the game.
The AVMA is designed to do three things:
- Cover the high startup costs of building vaccine facilities
- Guarantee demand by ensuring that locally made vaccines have a reliable market
- Focus on the vaccines and technologies that Africa needs most
By using its massive purchasing power, Gavi can shape the market in Africa’s favor — helping local manufacturers compete even if their early costs are higher than established global producers.
What this means for Africa and the world
For Africa, it means shorter wait times for vaccines, stronger health systems, and fewer preventable deaths. It means more local jobs, better science infrastructure, and regional economic growth. For the world, it means a more balanced, resilient global health system — one that doesn’t crumble under the weight of inequality when the next health crisis hits.
Vaccine sovereignty isn’t just about shots in arms — it’s about agency, equity, and the power to protect your people. Africa is rewriting the rules, and Gavi is helping hold the pen.
With the right support, the continent could go from waiting in line for vaccines to leading the charge — and in doing so, change the future of global health for everyone, everywhere.
Let’s keep investing in that future. Because no one is safe until everyone is. And a world where Africa makes its own vaccines is a world that’s stronger, fairer, and better prepared for what comes next.
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