The problem
Africa is home to nearly 1.5 billion people and bears one-quarter of the global disease burden, yet the region continues to rely heavily on imported health products. More than 95% of the continent’s active pharmaceutical ingredients and 70% of its medicines are sourced from abroad. The reliance is especially stark in diagnostics where the percentage of imports into Africa is much higher than pharmaceuticals. This dependence leaves countries exposed to supply chain disruptions, delays, and inflated costs.Â
The reliance is especially stark in diagnostics. Africa accounts for over 95% of global malaria deaths and 60% of global HIV-related deaths, yet most diagnostics are imported from companies based in China, Europe, and the United States.  During COVID-19, the continent’s reliance on external suppliers left health systems acutely vulnerable. This spurred collective efforts to support a small number of African manufacturers working to meet international regulatory standards and compete globally. Without stronger local manufacturing, timely, affordable, and quality-assured diagnostics will remain out of reach – both for today’s endemic diseases and for future outbreaks.
Our response
The Manufacturing to Accelerate Diagnostic Excellence (MADE) in Africa project is designed to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported diagnostics by building a sustainable regional manufacturing base that can meet both everyday health needs and surge demands during pandemics.Â
Working in partnership with PATH as lead grantee, and a consortium of African and global partners, Unitaid is supporting the project to strengthen local manufacturers with technical assistance, financing, and market-shaping. By the end of the four-year grant, MADE-supported diagnostics will be in African supply chains and reaching patients, with plans in place to ensure Africa’s manufacturing capacity can quickly pivot to meet future pandemic needs.Â
Our partners
PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges. Learn more at www.path.org.
International consortium of partners:
