The African continent cannot depend on health products from the rest of the world, as was made clear during the COVID-19 pandemic when export restrictions, lockdowns, and hoarding left supply chains in disarray.
Up to 90% of drugs consumed and 99% of vaccines administered in most countries in Africa are imported. African health leadership is working to remedy this by increasing the quantity of vaccines, diagnostics, personal protective gear, and therapeutics manufactured locally.
With limited research and development on the continent, much of the technical innovation happens abroad, meaning intellectual property is also held overseas, making licensing and technology transfer key. But commercial manufacturers have in many cases declined to transfer the knowledge on how to create these products to African manufacturers — which would ultimately give the continent more ownership over ensuring the health security of its populations.