By Kabaso Kabwe

During a recent high-level consultative dialogue on the European Union (EU)-Africa Union (AU) health
partnership, the EU pledged to support the AU in achieving its ambitious target of producing 60% of
the vaccines on the continent.

What does this entail for Africa’s New Public Health Order, and health sovereignty?

The EU support marks a significant commitment to Africa’s health priorities. The support includes
additional funding for the advancement of the African Medicines Agency, and the announcement of
procurement commitments by Global Health Initiatives to buy in Africa for Africa. Currently, only
about 1% of vaccines used in Africa are produced on the continent.

Without a doubt, the COVID-19 epidemic brought to light the stark differences between the wealthy
countries and the underdeveloped nations. This was particularly evident in vaccine procurement, as
the wealthier countries hoarded vaccines while Africa had uneven access to medical resources. Given
these circumstances, the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Africa Centre for Disease Control
and Prevention (Africa CDC) introduced a framework for action called “A New Public Health Order for
Africa” in 2021 with the intention of addressing more profound structural public health deficiencies at
the national, regional, and international levels.

The New Public Health Order for Africa seeks to increase the manufacture of vaccines, therapeutics,
and diagnostics as one of the continent’s pillars to ensure sustainable health outcomes and health
security of the continent’s 1.4 billion people. The other strategic pillars of this framework are: Strong
African Public Health Institutions; Investment in Public Health Workforce and Leadership Programs;
Increased Domestic Investment in Health; and Respectful, Action-oriented Partnerships. This action
plan aims to improve Africa’s public health systems’ capacity for self-sufficiency, address current
global imbalances, and strengthen the continent’s ability to respond effectively to disease threats by
increasing Africa’s collective voice in global health matters.

Africa is thus set to score success in producing vaccinations, which will be a significant step toward
achieving health sovereignty. African health sovereignty, or the continent’s capacity to act
independently, in its own best interests, and maintain control over its health systems and laws, is
crucial for the manufacture of vaccines, and guarantees that the continent will be able to handle any
future medical crisis. It is essential to achieving SDG 3 objectives, improving global pandemic
prevention, preparedness, and response, and promoting equal access to health services and goods.

While it is true that partnerships and collaborations like these are crucial for Africa to achieve its health
goals, the continent has to increase domestic health financing in order to improve support for its own
health challenges. Getting African countries to completely commit to fulfilling the 15% Abuja
Declaration on health would be a great step in the continent’s commitment to building its own
capacity. Currently, few African nations have met this commitment. Agenda 2063 also outlines Africa’s
development goals, and it also makes a significant and calculated investment in global health and
economic security. If carried out, the “buy in Africa for Africa” pledge can contribute to technology
transfer and capacity building, improve health fairness and access, and boost economic growth, and
most importantly, enhance African agency.