Africa Diagnostics: Local Manufacturing & Pandemic Preparedness

March 20, 2026 Ananya Mittal - World Editor

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare critical vulnerabilities in global health supply chains, particularly in Africa. A reliance on external sources for essential medical commodities – from diagnostics to vaccines – proved a strategic weakness when global demand surged and borders closed. While the immediate crisis has eased, the underlying issue of limited local manufacturing capacity remains a significant concern. Addressing this isn’t simply about self-sufficiency; it’s about building resilient health systems capable of responding effectively to future outbreaks and ensuring equitable access to life-saving tools.

A 2021 report from The Lancet Commission on diagnostics highlighted a stark reality: nearly half the world’s population has limited access to basic diagnostic services. The situation is even more acute in Africa, where less than 5% of diagnostics and a mere 1% of vaccines are produced locally. This dependence creates a precarious situation, as demonstrated by the scramble for personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, and vaccines during the height of the pandemic.

Beyond Technical Capacity: The Policy Landscape

Simply possessing the technical know-how isn’t enough to establish a thriving local manufacturing sector. A complex interplay of policies is required to incentivize investment, mitigate risk, and ensure the production of high-quality health commodities. These policies must address market shaping – creating a predictable demand for locally produced goods – and risk reduction for companies willing to be early movers in what can be a capital-intensive and highly regulated industry. Crucially, any system must reward quality-assured production, ensuring that locally manufactured products meet international standards.

The challenges are multifaceted. Limited access to financing, a lack of skilled workforce, and intellectual property barriers all contribute to the problem. The fragmented nature of African markets – with varying regulatory frameworks and procurement processes – can discourage large-scale investment. Harmonizing regulations and establishing regional procurement mechanisms could help create economies of scale and attract manufacturers.

The Promise of African-Led Solutions

Despite the obstacles, there is growing momentum towards strengthening local manufacturing capacity in Africa. Several initiatives are underway, supported by both African governments and international partners. These include investments in manufacturing facilities, technology transfer programs, and efforts to build a skilled workforce. Recent research in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests that predictions of overwhelming hospital systems in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t fully materialize, potentially due to factors including earlier implementation of public health measures and a younger population. However, this doesn’t diminish the need for preparedness, and local manufacturing is a key component of that.

The African Union’s Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) is a prime example of a continent-wide effort to boost vaccine production. The goal is to produce at least 60% of the vaccines needed in Africa by 2040. This ambitious target requires significant investment and collaboration, but it represents a crucial step towards greater self-reliance.

Diagnostics: A Critical Gap

While vaccine manufacturing is receiving increasing attention, the diagnostics gap remains a major concern. Accurate and timely diagnostics are essential for effective disease surveillance, outbreak response, and patient management. The lack of local diagnostic capacity hinders these efforts, forcing countries to rely on imports and often facing long lead times and high costs. Investing in local diagnostic manufacturing – including rapid tests, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory equipment – is therefore a critical priority.

The Lancet Commission report underscored this point, noting that limited access to diagnostics disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. Strengthening diagnostic capacity requires not only manufacturing but also training of laboratory personnel, establishing quality control systems, and ensuring access to essential reagents and consumables.

Investing in African Science

Underpinning all of these efforts is the need for greater investment in science and research in Africa. As highlighted in The Lancet, high-income countries have historically discriminated against scientific endeavors in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Strengthening research capacity within Africa is essential for developing locally relevant solutions to health challenges and fostering innovation in manufacturing and diagnostics. This includes supporting local researchers, building research infrastructure, and promoting collaboration between African scientists and their counterparts around the world.

What’s on the horizon for local health commodity production?

The path forward requires a sustained and coordinated effort from African governments, international partners, and the private sector. Several key steps are needed:

  • Policy reforms: Creating a supportive regulatory environment that incentivizes local manufacturing and ensures quality control.
  • Investment in infrastructure: Building manufacturing facilities, research laboratories, and training centers.
  • Workforce development: Investing in education and training programs to build a skilled workforce.
  • Technology transfer: Facilitating the transfer of technology and know-how from established manufacturers.
  • Regional collaboration: Harmonizing regulations and establishing regional procurement mechanisms.

building a robust local manufacturing sector in Africa is not just about economic development; it’s about safeguarding public health and ensuring a more equitable and resilient future for the continent. Continued monitoring of production capacity, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the impact of policy interventions will be crucial to track progress and adapt strategies as needed.