Empowering Africa’s healthcare future: the crucial role of human capital development in bio- and pharmaceutical manufacturing

Introduction
Africa, a continent of immense potential and diversity, has long grappled with complex healthcare challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the urgency of fortifying the continent’s healthcare infrastructure. The Africa Union has since set a target to manufacture 60% of vaccines used on the continent locally by 2040, and established the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) to carry out this mandate. At the heart of this transformation lies the imperative of human capital development in bio- and pharma-manufacturing.

The recently unveiled African Union’s Bio-manufacturing Workforce Development Workshop Report 2023 and the United Nations Economic Development in Africa Report 2023 spotlight the critical role of a skilled and adaptable workforce. Additionally, the commitment of BRICS member states, Africa CDC, and WHO to collaborate with the business sector on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response underscores the importance of a robust pharmaceutical industry and workforce. The Framework for Action (FFA)5 further cements the need for strategic collaboration.