WHO Africa and IVI Sign Landmark Agreement to Boost Vaccine Production
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen vaccine equity, local production, and health innovation across the continent.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Seventy-fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, highlights a shared commitment to building Africa’s capacity in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing, pillars essential for health sovereignty and pandemic preparedness.
Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, and Dr Jerome H. Kim, Director General of IVI, formalised the partnership.
“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 emphasised the importance of Africa’s role in global health innovation. “IVI is proud to partner with WHO to support Africa’s leadership in vaccine innovation. Together, we will advance clinical research, regulatory harmonisation, and technology transfer to ensure that African countries are not just recipients of vaccines, but producers and innovators.”
The MoU sets out key areas of collaboration, including African-led vaccine research and clinical trials, strengthening of regulatory authorities, technology transfer to boost regional manufacturing hubs, workforce development in vaccinology and biomanufacturing, and enhanced emergency preparedness through coordinated vaccine deployment.
At a time of tightening global health financing, the agreement is seen as a critical step towards safeguarding Africa’s health security while ensuring its priorities remain central to international efforts.
The partnership, leaders stressed, marks a decisive move towards inclusive innovation and regional self-reliance, ensuring that every African has access to life-saving vaccines and medicines.
