In a major stride toward achieving vaccine manufacturing autonomy and promoting vaccine equity, the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) in Senegal has joined forces with the Mastercard Foundation in a groundbreaking multi-year partnership. The transformative collaboration, known as the Manufacturing in Africa for Disease Immunization and Building Autonomy (MADIBA) project, aims to expand the vaccine workforce in Africa while aligning with Senegal's national plan to produce half of its pharmaceutical products domestically by 2035.
The MADIBA project is in line with the African Union's ambitious target of fulfilling 60 per cent of the continent's vaccine needs by 2040, a goal that calls for the training and employment of up to 14,000 highly skilled research and manufacturing workers, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under this partnership, IPD will work closely with global health experts, universities, and manufacturers to develop a specialized curriculum and training program. The focus will be on identifying and nurturing the specific skills required for highly specialized functions, including vaccine production, quality assurance, supply chain management, procurement, and clinical trials. By equipping new cohorts across Africa with these skills, the program aims to create a multiplier effect, rapidly accelerating vaccine manufacturing capabilities on the continent.
Gender equity is a key objective of the MADIBA project. IPD has made a special commitment to enrolling at least 40 per cent of women in the training program, recognizing the importance of their representation and contribution to the field. By empowering women and young Africans, the program will not only enhance vaccine manufacturing capabilities but also create significant opportunities for high-skilled job creation.
Amadou Sall, Chief Executive of IPD, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "This collaboration will enhance human capital development for biomanufacturing in Africa. The project is a crucial pillar for vaccine equity and autonomy and a significant driver for high-skilled job creation among young and female Africans."
The MADIBA initiative aims not only to save lives but also to position Africa at the forefront of global health security, making substantial progress toward a more equitable and resilient world. By bolstering vaccine manufacturing capacities on the continent, the partnership between IPD and the Mastercard Foundation is set to play a pivotal role in addressing the urgent need for vaccine access and self-sufficiency in Africa.
Article by Jed Mwangi
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