- Africa imports 99% of its vaccines, a situation WHO says undermines health security and self-sufficiency
- Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, calls for local manufacturing of vaccines, medicines, and therapeutic devices
- Strengthening domestic production capacity is central to WHO’s agenda for universal health coverage and equitable healthcare
Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, has warned that the continent’s heavy reliance on imported vaccines poses a serious threat to its health security.
He noted that Africa currently imports around 99% of its vaccines, a situation he said undermines efforts to build resilient and self-sufficient health systems.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Dr Janabi emphasized the urgent need for local manufacturing of medicines and medical devices, particularly vaccines.
“We want to see local manufacturing of medicines and therapeutic devices, especially vaccines. Africa imports 99% of its vaccines, and for health security, this is not good. We want to see universal health coverage. No one should be left behind,” he said.
Dr Janabi explained that strengthening local production capacity is a key part of WHO’s broader health agenda in Africa, which also focuses on equitable access to healthcare services for all populations.
Beyond vaccines, he highlighted antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges, describing it as a “slow-motion pandemic.”
“We want to combat antimicrobial resistance; it is a slow-motion pandemic. Not so long ago, when I was in active practice, a urinary tract infection could be treated in three days. Today, it takes over a week, especially in women. Some patients take antibiotics for extended periods with little effect because bacteria have become largely resistant,” he explained.
Dr Janabi also outlined WHO’s priorities for the continent, including the treatment of communicable and non-communicable tropical diseases and the expansion of Africa’s health workforce to meet growing demands.
“We also wish to see the treatment of communicable and non-communicable tropical diseases. We need to increase our health manpower. These are the priorities of the WHO in Africa,” he said.
His remarks come as African nations continue to seek strategies to strengthen domestic health systems and reduce dependence on external supply chains for essential medical products.
