UNAIDS, SADC, and GHII partner with China to boost pharmaceutical manufacturing in Southern Africa
The partnership, developed through sustained engagement led by UNAIDS, is being advanced this week through a SADC-China strategic exchange taking place from 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
SOUTH AFRICA—UNAIDS, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII) have brought together the governments of South Africa and China, pharmaceutical companies and international partners to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing across Southern Africa.
The partnership, developed through sustained engagement led by UNAIDS, is being advanced this week through an SADC-China strategic exchange taking place from 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Building regional manufacturing capacity
The initiative draws on lessons from the HIV response and brings together governments, pharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutions, financiers, development partners and health experts to examine how stronger partnerships can expand local production of medicines, diagnostics and other health technologies.
Anne Githuku Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, said strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing goes beyond increasing medicine production.
She said it would give African countries greater control over the health products their populations depend on, including HIV medicines, while helping build the skills, investment, technology and systems required to strengthen long term health security.
The exchange comes as African countries seek to strengthen health security, build more resilient supply chains and secure reliable access to essential medicines.
For Southern Africa, expanding regional manufacturing could reduce dependence on external suppliers and limit the impact of disruptions to international supply chains. It could also create opportunities for investment, innovation, skills development and economic growth.
Dr Lamboly Kumboneki of the SADC Secretariat said health security requires countries to have the capacity to produce essential health commodities.
He said the partnership with China could help connect African manufacturing capabilities with the investment, technology and technical skills required to expand pharmaceutical production in the region.
Expanding Africa-China cooperation
A central focus of the strategic exchange is how collaboration between China and Africa can support technology transfer, investment, manufacturing expertise and innovation.
The programme includes high-level policy discussions with government and regulatory officials, meetings with development and financing partners, and visits to pharmaceutical manufacturing and research facilities in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Participants are also examining ways to expand investment and technology transfer, improve market intelligence and demand forecasting, strengthen regulatory readiness, and enhance pooled procurement and health commodity security.
The discussions will also identify practical opportunities for deeper cooperation between African and Chinese pharmaceutical companies.
Gary Yang, Head of Business Development and Innovation at GHII, said China’s healthcare industry has expanded and matured significantly in recent decades, creating opportunities for Chinese companies to pursue international partnerships.
He said Africa represents an important future market and noted South African companies’ and policymakers’ willingness to work with international partners.
Yang said the collaboration provides an opportunity to improve access to health products through partnerships that benefit both African and Chinese stakeholders.
At the end of the exchange, participating partners will identify priority areas and practical next steps to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing and health commodity security across Southern Africa.
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