By 
Africa, a continent of around 1.4 billion people, is grappling with a health crisis that underscores a glaring paradox. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it accounts for over 25% of the global pharmaceutical market, however produces only 2% of the drugs it consumes. This staggering disparity is not just a statistic but rather a lifeline held hostage by global supply chains, economic inequities, and systemic underinvestment in local manufacturing.
And the result? A continent that imports over $14 billion worth of drugs annually while its still people struggle to access affordable and life-saving medicines.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
The vaccine sector paints an even sadder picture. According to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Africa consumes 1.3 billion vaccine doses each year, representing 25% of global demand. Yet, only 12 millions of these doses are manufactured locally, just 1% of its needs. This means Africa depends on imports for 99% of its vaccine requirements, leaving it vulnerable to supply shocks, geopolitical tensions, and the whims of global pharmaceutical giants and the recent USAID fund freezing is evidence enough.
The COVID-19 pandemic also laid bare this vulnerability, as Africa was left at the back of the queue for vaccines, despite being home to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Like many African nations, Zimbabwe is a stark example of the continent’s pharmaceutical challenges. The country’s healthcare system has been under immense strain for decades, exacerbated by economic instability, hyperinflation, and a lack of investment in local drug manufacturing. Zimbabwe imports over 80% of its medicines, spending millions of dollars annually on pharmaceuticals that could be produced locally as stipulated by the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care in 2023.
This reliance on imports has left the country vulnerable to drug shortages, particularly during times of economic crisis or global supply chain disruptions.
The situation is dire as medical institutions, especially public hospitals frequently run out of essential medicines, forcing patients to turn to private pharmacies where prices are often high. For a population where the majority live below the poverty line, out-of-pocket payments for medicines are simply unaffordable. This has resulted in the country having a healthcare system that fails to meet the needs of its people, with preventable diseases and untreated conditions becoming tragically common.
According to the Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, the country’s pharmaceutical industry faces challenges like limited access to raw materials, outdated technology, and limited funding, while bureaucratic red tape and inconsistent policies hinder growth.
The high cost of imported medicines is not just a financial burden but a matter of life and death. With up to 90% of Africans relying on out-of-pocket payments to buy medicines, affordability is a critical issue. Imported drugs are often priced beyond the reach of the average citizen, forcing families to choose between healthcare and other basic needs like food and education. This financial strain is compounded by the fact that Africa bears 24% of the global disease burden but has access to only 3% of the world’s health workers and less than 1% of its financial resources for health as reported by WHO.
African nations rely on imports, exposing them to global market fluctuations, currency devaluations, and supply chain disruptions, which can lead to shortages of essential medicines and public health crises. For instance, during the peak of COVID-19, many African countries, including Zimbabwe, faced severe shortages of basic drugs like paracetamol, let alone vaccines or advanced therapeutics.
This begs the question: why does Africa, with its vast resources and growing population, produce so little of its own medicines?
Pharmaceutical manufacturing requires significant capital investment, advanced technology, and skilled labour. Many African nations, including Zimbabwe, lack the infrastructure and financial resources to build and sustain such industries. Additionally, foreign investors often view the continent as high-risk due to political instability, regulatory hurdles, and weak intellectual property protections.
The global pharmaceutical industry is dominated by a handful of wealthy nations and corporations that control the production and distribution of drugs. These entities have little incentive to support local manufacturing in Africa, as it would threaten their market dominance. For example, during the pandemic, efforts by South Africa and India to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines were blocked by wealthy nations, highlighting the entrenched inequities in the global system.
Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. The African Union and the World Health Organisation have launched initiatives to boost local pharmaceutical production, such as the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) which aims to increase Africa’s vaccine production to 60% of its needs by 2040. Countries like South Africa, Rwanda, and Senegal are leading the charge, investing in local manufacturing facilities and forging partnerships with international organisations.
In Zimbabwe, there are signs of progress. The government has recently expressed commitment to revitalising the pharmaceutical sector, with plans to attract investment and modernize local manufacturing capabilities (Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care, 2023). Partnerships with international organisations and neighbouring countries could also play a crucial role in building a sustainable pharmaceutical industry.
However, these efforts require more than just African resolve, they demand global solidarity. Wealthy nations and pharmaceutical companies must commit to technology transfer, equitable pricing, and investment in African infrastructure. A permanent shift in global health governance is needed to ensure that Africa is no longer at the mercy of a system that prioritizes profits over people.
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