Zambia’s Minister of Health, Professor Roma Chilengi, has called on the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to accelerate efforts to manufacture cholera vaccines within the African region. The call highlights Zambia’s ambition to strengthen local vaccine production, reduce dependence on imported medical products and improve the continent’s ability to respond to public health emergencies. Speaking in Lusaka during a meeting with a delegation from Africa CDC, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and ZAMVAX, Professor Chilengi emphasised the importance of building a sustainable vaccine manufacturing industry in Africa. He said Zambia had positioned itself as a regional hub for cholera vaccine manufacturing and stressed that local production could reduce importation costs. The discussions reflect growing efforts to strengthen Africa’s pharmaceutical industry and improve access to essential vaccines during disease outbreaks.
Professor Chilengi’s appeal comes amid continuing concerns about cholera, a waterborne disease that can cause severe diarrhoea, dehydration and death if patients do not receive timely treatment. Cholera spreads mainly through food and water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, often in communities where access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services is limited. Although the disease is preventable and treatable, outbreaks can place significant pressure on health facilities, especially when cases rise rapidly. Oral cholera vaccines form an important part of outbreak prevention and control strategies, alongside access to clean water, improved sanitation, effective surveillance and timely medical care. Ensuring a reliable supply of these vaccines is therefore an important public health priority for Zambia and other African countries that face the risk of cholera outbreaks.
The Minister’s call for Africa CDC to fast-track cholera vaccine manufacturing reflects the need for stronger regional capacity to produce essential medical supplies. African countries have often relied on vaccines and pharmaceutical products manufactured outside the continent, leaving them exposed to international supply shortages, transport delays and changing market conditions. During major disease outbreaks, global demand for vaccines can increase sharply, making it harder for countries with limited purchasing power to secure adequate supplies. Developing manufacturing capacity within Africa could help reduce some of these vulnerabilities by creating additional sources of vaccines closer to the populations that need them. However, establishing reliable vaccine production requires substantial investment, specialised technology, skilled personnel and strict quality control. Accelerating this process will therefore depend on effective coordination between governments, regional health institutions, manufacturers and development partners.
Professor Chilengi explained that producing cholera vaccines locally could reduce the costs associated with importing them. Importation expenses can include international shipping, insurance, storage and other logistical requirements that add to the overall cost of supplying medical products. Regional manufacturing could help simplify some supply arrangements and improve the ability of health authorities to plan for future demand. Local production may also create opportunities for specialised employment, technical training and investment in related industries. However, the actual cost savings will depend on production volumes, manufacturing efficiency, access to raw materials and the resources required to maintain international quality standards. For Zambia, the long-term objective is to establish a manufacturing system that is both economically sustainable and capable of supplying safe, effective vaccines when public health needs arise.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing for Africa’s health sovereignty. Health sovereignty refers to a country’s or region’s ability to secure essential health products, strengthen its scientific capabilities and make important public health decisions without excessive dependence on external suppliers. Building this capacity can improve preparedness for epidemics and other health emergencies by giving countries greater control over production planning and supply chains. It can also encourage investment in research, technology development and specialised training for scientists, pharmacists, engineers and other health professionals. For African countries, stronger local manufacturing could support more reliable access to vaccines and essential medicines during periods of international disruption. Achieving this goal requires long-term planning, reliable financing, strong regulatory institutions and cooperation among countries across the continent.
Zambia’s ambition to become a regional hub for cholera vaccine manufacturing could also strengthen its role in Africa’s pharmaceutical development. A regional manufacturing hub could potentially serve domestic needs while supporting supply to other African markets, subject to production capacity, regulatory approval and applicable procurement arrangements. Such a role would require facilities that meet strict manufacturing standards and systems capable of maintaining product safety, consistency and effectiveness. Vaccine production is a highly specialised process that involves complex biological materials, controlled manufacturing conditions and rigorous testing. Companies and institutions involved in the process must also establish dependable supply chains for ingredients, packaging and other essential materials. If these requirements are met, Zambia could build a stronger foundation for pharmaceutical investment and contribute to wider efforts to improve access to vaccines across Africa.
The meeting in Lusaka brought together representatives from Africa CDC, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and ZAMVAX, reflecting the importance of collaboration in developing Zambia’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities. Africa CDC works with African Union member states and partners to strengthen public health systems, disease surveillance and emergency preparedness across the continent. CEPI supports the development of vaccines against epidemic and pandemic threats and works with partners to improve preparedness for future health emergencies. ZAMVAX is part of the initiative discussed in connection with vaccine manufacturing and pharmaceutical development in Zambia. Bringing these stakeholders together can help align public health priorities with scientific expertise, investment and manufacturing plans. The effectiveness of this collaboration will depend on clearly defined responsibilities, sustained financial support and practical progress towards establishing dependable production capacity.
Expanding cholera vaccine production in Africa also requires a broader approach to public health preparedness. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of cholera, but they cannot replace investments in safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. Communities need reliable access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities and accurate information about how cholera spreads. Health authorities must also maintain effective disease surveillance, identify outbreaks quickly and ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment. Oral rehydration solution and timely medical care remain essential for treating cholera, while severe cases may require intravenous fluids and other supportive treatment. A comprehensive strategy that combines vaccination with prevention, surveillance and treatment can provide stronger protection than relying on any single intervention.
Developing a sustainable vaccine manufacturing industry will also require investment in human resources and scientific infrastructure. Vaccine production depends on trained specialists who understand microbiology, pharmaceutical engineering, quality assurance, laboratory testing and regulatory compliance. Universities, technical institutions and research organisations can help prepare the workforce needed to operate advanced manufacturing facilities. Partnerships between local institutions and experienced international manufacturers may also support the transfer of technical knowledge and good manufacturing practices. At the same time, governments must create a regulatory environment that protects public health while allowing qualified manufacturers to operate efficiently. These investments take time, but they can help establish the technical foundation needed for reliable vaccine production and broader pharmaceutical development.
Regional cooperation will be particularly important if Zambia and other African countries want to improve access to cholera vaccines over the long term. Countries can benefit from coordinating demand forecasts, sharing technical expertise and strengthening regional supply arrangements. Predictable demand can help manufacturers plan production, manage costs and make informed investment decisions. Cooperation among national regulatory authorities can also support more efficient assessment processes while preserving the standards required to protect patients. However, regional manufacturing must remain commercially and operationally viable, with clear plans for financing, procurement and distribution. Strong cooperation can help ensure that new production capacity meets genuine public health needs rather than becoming an underused industrial investment.
Professor Chilengi’s engagement with Africa CDC, CEPI and ZAMVAX places Zambia’s vaccine manufacturing ambitions within a wider effort to strengthen Africa’s ability to respond to infectious diseases. His call to accelerate cholera vaccine production highlights the importance of reducing importation costs, improving supply security and building the technical capacity required for long-term health independence. Zambia’s proposed role as a regional manufacturing hub offers potential benefits for public health, economic development and scientific skills transfer. Realising these benefits will depend on investment, regulatory readiness, reliable manufacturing systems and effective cooperation among regional and international partners. Local vaccine production must also complement essential measures such as clean water, sanitation, disease surveillance and timely treatment. By combining these priorities, Zambia can help advance a more resilient African pharmaceutical sector and strengthen the continent’s ability to protect communities against cholera and future health emergencies.