In January 2023 the UK’s minister for Development and Africa, the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell visited the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) – one of the beneficiaries of the UK government’s Manufacturing Africa (MA) programme.
On the visit to IPD, Hon Mitchell was accompanied by Juliette John His Majesty’s Ambassador to Senegal, Corin Robertson FCDO’s Director General for Africa, Dr Cathy Roth Senior Adviser for infectious diseases at the Diamniadio Vaccinopole and Claire O’Neill Manufacturing Africa Adviser for Senegal.
MA assisted IPD’s plan to become a regional manufacturing hub making vaccines in Africa, for Africa, through Project Madiba, for COVID-19 and other important vaccines such as Measles, Rubella, Polio, Rabies and Yellow Fever. Our programme was involved in the development of the project’s business model and a 5-year business plan to ensure sustainability of the venture.
Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell receives a vaccination kit manufactured at the Institute Pasteur de Dakar
Acknowledging MA’s input into the project, IPD said, “The UK FCDO’s flagship Manufacturing Africa initiative was engaged in the development of the first business case of project MADIBA and the UK’s support to IPD both pre-, during, and post-Covid-19 pandemic has spanned many areas of activity at IPD”.
IPD is a 100-year-old research institution with unique public health expertise focusing on research and innovation; diagnostics, vaccination, nutrition, and environment; public health management; vaccine manufacturing and distribution.
The UK is committed to working with partners on the African continent to unlock jobs, economic growth and development through programmes such as Manufacturing Africa.
A representative of Institute Pasteur de Dakar explains to Hon Mitchell the different production processes at the facility.
