15 February 2026
African national and continental leaders on stage at the official launch of ACHIEVE Africa, Addis Ababa, 15 February 2026. Credit: IVI
15 February 2026, ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – On the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, African leaders today launched ACHIEVE Africa—Accelerating Health Innovation, Equity, and Development of Vaccines and Biologics in Africa—an initiative designed to build the continent’s end-to-end research and development ecosystem for vaccines and therapeutics.
The event was convened by the Government of Zambia and co-convened by African Union Member States including Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia; the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC); and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). The African Medicines Agency (AMA) was a special guest institution.
Africa stands at a decisive turning point for health security and self-reliance. While significant progress has been made in expanding biomanufacturing capacity, persistent gaps across the research and development ecosystem threaten to stall momentum. True vaccine and therapeutic sovereignty requires not only manufacturing, but also the ability to design, develop, clinically test, and regulate medical countermeasures for health priorities defined by Africa.
ACHIEVE Africa responds with an initial five-year, US$100+ million investment to mobilize African researchers and institutions across the full research and development value chain—from genomics and antigen design to clinical trials, regulatory readiness, and scale-up. The initiative will prioritize next-generation platforms, including mRNA technologies, targeting high-burden and epidemic-prone diseases such as HIV, mpox, chikungunya, and Rift Valley fever.
The program is anchored in Africa’s long-term development vision, including Agenda 2063 and the African Union target of producing 60% of Africa’s vaccines locally by 2040. It aligns with the New Public Health Order, the Accra Reset, the African Union Immunization Agenda 2030, and the priorities of Africa CDC and AMA.
More than 50 institutions from over 20 African countries are already engaged, supported by IVI and a range of global scientific and development partners, reflecting a coordinated continental approach to innovation and capacity development.
H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, said: “Let this launch mark a turning point: from dependency to self reliance; vulnerability to resilience; ambition to delivery. I urge Heads of State, AU institutions, and partners to endorse and support ACHIEVE Africa.”
Dr. Jerome H. Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute, said, “IVI shares the vision that building strong regional research and development capacity is fundamental to securing Africa’s health future. We thank His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia for convening this launch and demonstrating decisive leadership. IVI is proud to champion these continental efforts through ACHIEVE Africa, working with African leaders, scientists, and industry to advance sustainable solutions for regional and global health security.”
Speaking at the official launch event were:
Setting the stage for the initiative were opening remarks delivered by:
Speaking in support of the initiative and highlighting institutional commitment included:
Prof. Helen Rees, University of the Witwatersrand, moderated a panel discussion with African ministers of health and leading experts from global health:
Masters of ceremonies were Mrs. Wynne Musabayana, Head of Communication, African Union Commission, along with Mr. Peter Kebila.
By advancing innovation by Africa, in Africa, for Africa, ACHIEVE Africa lays the foundation for a more secure, equitable, and self-sufficient health future.
###
About ACHIEVE Africa
ACHIEVE Africa accelerates the development of safe and effective vaccines and biologics by supporting a collaborative research ecosystem led by African scientists, institutions, and manufacturers. ACHIEVE Africa is an African-led, US$100+ million, African Union member-state-championed initiative designed to close Africa’s research and development gap, and strengthen the continent’s engine for vaccines and biologics, from discovery through clinical trials and regulatory readiness. It is rooted in the continent’s long-term development vision, including the aspirations captured in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the goal of producing 60% of Africa’s vaccines locally by 2040. It is aligned with critical declarations and commitments on research and development, self-sufficiency, and human development. It seeks to leverage a range of innovative technologies, including mRNA vaccines, adjuvanted protein-based platforms, and viral vectors.
Learn more: https://achieve.ivi.int/
###
Contact
Kevin Keen, Head of Communications, International Vaccine Institute
kevin.keen@ivi.int
