In the fight against the corona pandemic in Africa, Germany and France want to jointly support the expansion of vaccine production on the continent.
Health Minister Jens Spahn arrived at the airport in Johannesburg on Friday to present a Franco-German funding initiative at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron landed on the same day for a state visit and talks with the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Claudia Bröll
Freelance Africa correspondent based in Cape Town.
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Michaela Wiegel
Political correspondent based in Paris.
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"Together with the EU we want to contribute to the development of production facilities so that the whole of Africa can benefit from local products and technologies that are safe and innovative," said Spahn at a panel discussion in Pretoria.
Germany is ready to invest up to 50 million euros in this.
Macron also affirmed that it was on the side of Africa. In contrast to the German government, he also promised to support a temporary lifting of patent protection on Covid vaccines. "You can count on us," he said to the South African president, who is working with India to have it repealed. It is possible to vaccinate 60 percent of the African population by the middle of next year and 40 percent by the end of this year. "We will find a way together," said the French President.
Africa is far behind in vaccination efforts against the corona virus.
According to the African Union, only just under 0.5 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, 1.7 percent have received a vaccination.
African governments, but also the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization, have been campaigning for a vaccine “made in Africa” for a long time.
Almost all vaccines are imported
According to the wishes of the African Union, up to 60 percent of routine vaccines are to be manufactured on the continent by 2024. Today almost all vaccines are imported. Last week, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at a conference of the 20 most important industrialized and emerging countries (G 20) in Rome that the EU would support the construction of sites for vaccine production in Africa with one billion euros. South Africa, Senegal and Rwanda are among the locations under discussion.
According to Macron, intensive discussions were held with the South African company Biovac and the listed pharmaceutical company Aspen for the Franco-German initiative.
The latter is already filling Johnson & Johnson corona vaccines at its plant in South Africa.
Biovac is the only vaccine manufacturer in southern Africa, but has not yet produced any corona vaccine.
During his visit, Spahn met with the South African Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, with scientists and business representatives.
South Africa has had low numbers of new infections since the beginning of the year, but there are currently concerns about a third wave, with vaccinations for the general population starting last week.
Previously, healthcare workers had been vaccinated as part of a scientific study.
Before leaving for South Africa, the French President visited a vaccination center in the Rwandan capital of Kigali and announced that the EU would increase vaccine aid to Africa. “The EU has promised to deliver at least 100 million doses of vaccine. France is providing 30 million of this, Germany also 30 million, ”he said. It is in Europe's interest that all African countries also have sufficient access to the vaccines. The aim is to get as close as possible to herd immunity and to prevent new virus mutations.
Macron brought vaccine donations on his plane to Rwanda; President Paul Kagame thanked him for the help. Macron spoke of a “necessary solidarity with Africa”. He announced aid for vaccine production on the African continent. He wanted to discuss further plans with the South African President. Macron stressed that France's development aid has been increased "to an unprecedented level". France plans to provide a total of 500 million euros by 2023, mainly for health and digital technology.