Germany’s KfW Development Bank will provide South Africa with €20 million over a period of five years for vaccine production.
- The grant will be specifically used for financing equipment related to the development, production, and certification of active pharmaceutical ingredients for vaccine production in South Africa.
- The funding will support the mRNA technology transfer hub hosted by South Africa for the World Health Organization (WHO). The hub aims to establish or enhance sustainable mRNA vaccine manufacturing capacity in regions with limited or no capacity.
- The objectives of the technology transfer hub include promoting regional research and development, strengthening bio-manufacturing know-how and workforce development, and developing regulatory capabilities for the approval and distribution of mRNA vaccines.
- The German government’s commitment to supporting vaccine production in South Africa is in response to the WHO’s decision during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is the recipient of the financial support on behalf of the South African government, and the DSI’s Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara, is recognized as the custodian and leader of the South African vaccine manufacturing strategy.
- The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) will be the project executing agency and will report to the DSI through a steering committee. The SAMRC will play a crucial role in establishing a vaccine manufacturing industry in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- KfW will appoint an implementation consultant to provide sector-specific support for project planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation.
- The collaboration between South Africa and Germany aims to strengthen continental vaccine manufacturing capacities and leverage South Africa’s world-class research institutions and solid industry for independent vaccine research, development, and production.