China, South Africa and regional and international health partners are strengthening cooperation to expand access
\nto medicines and build a more resilient pharmaceutical sector across Southern Africa.
\nThe initiative brings together the South African and Chinese governments, the Southern African Development
\nCommunity (SADC), UNAIDS, the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII), pharmaceutical companies, research
\ninstitutions and development partners.
\nThe collaboration is aimed at strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, encouraging technology transfer
\nand improving the availability of essential medicines, diagnostics and other health products across the region.
\nThe partnership was advanced through a SADC-China strategic exchange held from August 31 to September 4,
\nwith engagements taking place in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The programme included discussions
\nwith government and regulatory officials, pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers and other stakeholders.
\nAccording to UNAIDS, the initiative draws lessons from the global HIV response and seeks to develop stronger
\npartnerships that can help African countries increase their capacity to produce medicines locally.
\nUNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Anne Githuku-Shongwe said stronger pharmaceutical
\nmanufacturing was about more than simply producing medicines.
\nShe said it could give African countries greater control over the health products their populations depend on, while
\ncreating opportunities for skills development, investment, technology transfer and stronger health systems.
\nThe collaboration comes at a time when countries across Africa are increasingly focused on health security and the
\nneed for reliable supply chains for essential medicines.
\nFor Southern Africa, developing regional manufacturing capacity could reduce vulnerability to international supply
\ndisruptions while supporting economic development and creating opportunities for innovation.
\nSADC Secretariat representative Dr Lamboly Kumboneki said health security required countries to have the
\ncapacity to produce essential health products. He said cooperation with China could help connect African
\nmanufacturing capabilities with investment, technology and expertise.
\nA key area of the partnership will be exploring how Chinese investment and pharmaceutical expertise can support
\nthe development of manufacturing capabilities in Africa. Discussions will also focus on improving market
\nintelligence, demand planning, regulatory preparedness and pooled procurement.
\nThe latest initiative builds on existing health cooperation between China and South Africa. In January 2026, South
\nAfrica\u2019s National AIDS Council announced that China had pledged US$3.49 million, approximately R60 million, to
\nstrengthen HIV prevention services in the country over two years. The funding, facilitated through UNAIDS, targets
\nyoung people and people who inject drugs.
\nChinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng has previously stressed China\u2019s commitment to supporting South
\nAfrica\u2019s HIV prevention and treatment programmes, including through policy dialogue, innovative drug supply,
\ntechnology transfer and capacity building.
\nThe new pharmaceutical manufacturing partnership therefore represents a broader approach to health cooperation,
\nmoving beyond access to medicines towards building the capacity to manufacture them.
\nStakeholders believe that stronger Africa-China cooperation could contribute to a more sustainable health system
\nin Southern Africa, while opening opportunities for local pharmaceutical companies, researchers and skilled
\nworkers.
\nAt the conclusion of the strategic exchange, participating partners identified priority areas and practical next steps
\nfor strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing and health commodity security across the region.
\nThe long-term goal is to ensure that people in Southern Africa have more reliable and sustainable access to
\nessential medicines while countries develop greater control over their health security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
China, South Africa and regional and international health partners are strengthening cooperation to expand access<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international"],"yoast_head":"\n