$45 million investment boosts Vaccine Production in Senegal

Dakar, Senegal – A groundbreaking $45 million investment has been announced to bolster vaccine production in Senegal, marking a significant step forward in Africa’s public health infrastructure.

The partnership, led by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will provide funding to VaxSen, the vaccine production and distribution division of the Pasteur Institute in Dakar.

The agreement was signed on December 13 in the presence of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, reaffirming Senegal’s commitment to leading public health advancements across the continent.

The funds aim to expand local vaccine production capabilities, fortify supply chains, and establish a robust network for vaccine distribution across Africa. This development aligns with the African Union’s Vision 2040, which sets a target for the continent to locally produce 60% of its vaccine needs.

“Senegal is proud to play a central role in securing Africa’s health sovereignty,” President Faye stated. “This investment will not only benefit our nation but also enhance vaccine accessibility and equity across the region.”

The initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between international financial institutions and African governments to address pressing health challenges. By empowering local manufacturing, the project seeks to reduce Africa’s dependency on imported vaccines, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the continent’s vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.

VaxSen, already a prominent name in vaccine development, aims to utilize the funding to ramp up production capacity and introduce cutting-edge technologies to meet global standards.

This historic investment positions Senegal as a leader in Africa’s journey toward self-reliance in vaccine production.