of manufacturers that will serve the African continent as well as markets beyond?

4.3 What practical steps need to be taken to lay the right foundation for a viable network of manufacturers that will serve the African continent as well as markets beyond?

Dr Chidi Nweneka provided an overview and noted the need to assess the feasibility of such a venture, making informed decisions and a firm commitment to follow through on the process. He welcomed the enthusiasm from countries and companies willing to start vaccine manufacturing on the continent but highlighted that the practical realities of vaccine manufacturing are complex and go beyond investments in bricks and mortar to establish manufacturing hubs. Dr Nweneka emphasized that there is a need to plan for the long-term and to plan sustainably.

Dr Nweneka stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for local vaccine manufacturing and he also highlighted the important role that governments play in creating an enabling environment for success, whilst also contributing the necessary resources. The role of African governments needs to be clarified in terms of vaccine components. Comprehensive risk assessment is required due to political instability and policy uncertainty in some countries.

Commitment from state actors reassures the investors that the operating environment is stable, especially in the African context, which is plagued by political instability and policy inconsistency. Investors need this assurance for continuity.

Additionally, governments can promote technology transfer by ensuring that the production of drug substances and other inputs is carried out in Africa. These components are important and should be prioritised over “fill and finish”. The factories producing drug substances can be hubs for technology transfer. There needs to be an acknowledgement that vaccine manufacturing constitutes a complex process and therefore a realistic appraisal is required.

Dr Nweneka identified effective collaboration as one of the keys to overcoming bottlenecks in the localisation of vaccine manufacturing. He added that implementation is imperative to effective collaboration. Partners in the implementation process must each bring something