Health: Zambia signs an agreement to manufacture a cholera vaccine, a first in Africa

Zambia signed a historic agreement on Monday in Lusaka with a Chinese company for the manufacture of a cholera vaccine, a first in Africa.

The agreement, signed between Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and China’s JIJIA International Company, makes Zambia the first African country to manufacture the cholera vaccine, a major advance in public health and disease prevention.

This new initiative comes as this southern African country continues to play its leadership role in the fight against cholera, having co-sponsored the resolution on the prevention and control of this epidemic for its elimination by 2030.

Speaking on the occasion, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema highlighted the importance of this partnership, saying it will not only save lives, but also increase productivity and serve humanity, particularly in regions most vulnerable to cholera epidemics.

“Cholera remains a serious threat to countries in the South, affecting 1.3 billion people worldwide, causing 2.86 million cases and nearly 95,000 deaths each year,” noted the President.

Zambia is among the high-risk countries, having recorded more than 20,000 cases and nearly 700 deaths during the 2023-2024 cholera epidemic. The new vaccine manufacturing plant will not only meet the needs of Zambia, but will also serve the entire region and the African continent, providing a critical resource in the fight against the deadly disease, the signatories said.

They argue that the establishment of this vaccine factory marks a turning point in Zambia’s public health strategy and consolidates its leadership role in the global campaign to eliminate cholera by 2030. The initiative is expected to create jobs, stimulate the local economy and considerably reduce the impact of the disease in Africa, it is specified.

Sami Nemli with agencies / Les Inspirations ECO