The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday announced it is in talks with a South African consortium to set up a technology transfer hub in South Africa, notably for the technology of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, reported CGTN Africa.
“I’m delighted to announce that the WHO is in discussions with a consortium of companies and institutions to establish a technology transfer hub in South Africa,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference.
According to the WHO, the tech transfer hub could make it possible for African companies to begin manufacturing mRNA vaccines- the advanced technology now used in Pfizer and Moderna shots – in less than 12 months.
The WHO recently invited proposals from companies to establish such hubs for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. It received 50 proposals, half of which are from the companies that are willing to share their know-how.
The international health body announced two companies had signed up so far and said it was in talks with Pfizer and Moderna.
During the press conference, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the hub will help put Africa on a path to self-determination notably by allowing the continent to manufacture its own vaccines. He added that this will enhance the continent’s capacity to take responsibility for the health of Africans.
“Through this initiative, we will change the narrative of an Africa that is a center of disease and poor development,” said Ramaphosa.
The South African president continues to push separately for a waiver to intellectual property rules governing COVID-19 vaccines.
The WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said the hub will enable South Africa to manufacture vaccines in the next 9 to 12 months. She said that the intellectual property waiver proposed by South Africa and other countries would allow for the exchange of technology between institutions and would make the process smoother.
