In a landmark move for continental health security, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a $2 billion financing facility under the Africa Health Security Investment Plan—the largest coordinated investment to date in Africa’s local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing capacity. This Afreximbank Africa CDC $2 billion health manufacturing initiative is designed to transform the continent from a net importer of medical products into a self-reliant producer, directly supporting the African Union’s goal of manufacturing 60% of its routine vaccines locally by 2040.
The funding will support the development of regional health industrial platforms, expand biomanufacturing infrastructure, and de-risk private-sector investment in medicine, diagnostics, and vaccine production across Africa. It comes at a critical time: despite repeated warnings from global health experts after the COVID-19 pandemic, over 80% of Africa’s vaccines are still imported, leaving the continent vulnerable to supply disruptions during health emergencies.
“This is not just about health—it’s about sovereignty,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC. “No continent should have to beg for vaccines while its people are dying. With this facility, we are building an Africa that can produce what it needs, when it needs it.”
The Afreximbank Africa CDC $2 billion health manufacturing fund will be deployed through a mix of loans, guarantees, and equity investments targeting public-private partnerships, regional economic communities, and national pharmaceutical agencies. Priority will be given to projects that integrate raw material sourcing, fill-and-finish operations, and cold-chain distribution networks—closing critical gaps in the value chain.
Already, the plan is catalyzing action. In Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Nigeria, new or expanded vaccine hubs are being developed with technical support from the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM). The facility will help scale these efforts, ensuring facilities operate at full capacity and meet international regulatory standards like WHO prequalification.
“Financing has been one of the biggest barriers,” said Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of Afreximbank. “This $2 billion commitment removes that bottleneck. We’re not just funding factories—we’re funding resilience, jobs, and long-term health security.”
The investment aligns with broader AU initiatives like Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which emphasize industrialization and intra-African trade. By strengthening regional supply chains, the facility also reduces foreign exchange outflows and creates high-skilled employment in science, engineering, and healthcare logistics.
Experts warn that success depends on more than money. Harmonized regulations, technology transfer, workforce training, and sustained political will will be essential to avoid underutilized “ghost plants”—a risk seen in past industrial ventures.
But momentum is growing. With partners like CEPI, Gavi, and the World Bank also increasing support, Africa is closer than ever to achieving true health autonomy.
And with this Afreximbank Africa CDC $2 billion health manufacturing commitment, the vision of an Africa that protects itself—from lab to clinic—is no longer a dream.
It’s a plan in motion.
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