Kenya Pushes for Stronger Loval Pharmaceutical Manufacturing at Africa Forward Summit
Nairobi, Kenya - - Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale participated in the High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Local Manufacturing held on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit 2026 alongside African leaders, global health experts, policymakers, manufacturers, and development partners.
The discussions focused on accelerating local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing through sustainable financing, technology transfer, regulatory harmonisation, strategic partnerships, and expanded regional market access for African manufacturers.
Hon. Duale emphasized that strengthening domestic production of medicines and vaccines remains critical in advancing Africa’s health sovereignty and reducing dependence on external supply chains exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Health security cannot be outsourced. Countries that do not produce essential health products remain exposed to external shocks,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
Hon. Duale highlighted Kenya’s ongoing investments through the Kenya BioVax Institute, including a USD 60.8 million fill-and-finish vaccine facility with a production capacity of 72 million doses annually, and a USD 248 million end-to-end manufacturing facility at Konza Technopolis.
He further noted that Kenya is strengthening regulatory systems towards attaining WHO Global Benchmarking Tool Maturity Level 3, while advancing reforms to digitise supply chains and strengthen institutions such as KEMSA.
The roundtable brought together several high-level African and global leaders, including President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, WHO Regional Director for Africa Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, Morocco Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, Tunisia Prime Minister Sara Zaafarani, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya, representatives from Amref Health Africa, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other global partners.