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France, through Proparco, supports Biovac to strengthen vaccine production in Africa, benefiting millions of people
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• On the occasion of the Africa Forward Summit, organised by France and Kenya in Nairobi on 11–12 May, Proparco, France’s development finance institution, announces financing in support of South African vaccine manufacturer Biovac to expand and strengthen local manufacturing capacity for essential vaccines.
• This USD 20 million loan forms part of a broader financing transaction involving several development finance institutions, arranged by IFC.
While Africa currently produces only around 1% of the vaccines it consumes, this project aims to sustainably strengthen the continent’s industrial capacity and support regional health sovereignty.
The financing will support the construction and commissioning of a new manufacturing facility for essential vaccines, including polio, meningitis, pneumonia, and cholera, thereby strengthening the continent’s health security and enhancing its capacity to prevent and respond to epidemics. The production of a cholera vaccine will position Biovac as the first end-to-end multi-vaccine African manufacturer on the continent.
These vaccines will primarily be distributed through UNICEF and Gavi channels, for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations. The French company Sanofi will provide technical support to Biovac and share its industrial expertise in polio vaccine manufacturing.
Through this financing, which may be complemented by technical assistance, Proparco reaffirms its financial support and commitment to strengthening local manufacturing capacity and is delivering on the commitments made by France since 2021 to promote pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa and support the continent’s health sovereignty and vaccine self-sufficiency.
Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco:
“Proparco is proud, on behalf of France, to support Biovac in its pan-African development. Expanding vaccine production capacity on the continent is essential to improve immunisation and strengthen the resilience of populations, particularly the most vulnerable. The project will also reduce dependence on imports, foster innovation and create skilled jobs. Biovac is well positioned to achieve this ambition for the benefit of millions of Africans,”
“We are extremely proud to partner with Proparco in our quest to expand our vaccine manufacturing capability. This unwavering support, particularly on a continent that still produces 1% of its own vaccine is key in ensuring that Biovac contributes in making demonstrable and long lasting change and to ensure self sufficiency in vaccine production in Africa. The new facility will ensure not only reliable supply of life-saving vaccines for Africa but will also allow additional skills capability, technology transfer and drive vaccine innovation that will benefit generations to come “ said Dr Morena Makhoana, CEO of Biovac.
Proparco’s financial contribution to this large-scale project will be supported by the European Union, through the EDFI Transforming Global Value Chains (EDFI TGVC) programme, under EFSD+, the financing instrument of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative.
