Kenya is among six African countries to benefit from technology transfer for Covid-19 vaccines.

Six African countries are benefitting from technology transfer for Covid-19 vaccines, enhancing the continent’s ability to manufacture vaccines locally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

At a press conference in Brussels, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom announced that Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, and Tunisia will benefit from mRNA technology.

The global vaccine equity can be boosted in this way. As part of the effort to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines to global standards of quality, a technology transfer project was launched.

This technology is used to make vaccines such as those manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.

“I am delighted to announce today the first six African countries that will receive technology from the hub to produce their own mRNA vaccines: Egypt , Kenya , Nigeria , Senegal , South Africa and Tunisia,” said Dr Tedros at a joint virtual briefing with Presidents of France and South Africa, as well as the European Council.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this technology results in vaccines that increase immunity by ‘teaching’ cells to make proteins that can trigger immunity against infections.

A global mRNA technology transfer hub was established by the WHO last year in order to combat oversupply and boost vaccination rates in poor countries.

Despite African countries demanding a waiver on intellectual property rights under emergence exemptions for mass local production at the ongoing EU-Africa summit, the announcement was made in Brussels.

Pharma companies have opposed this proposal in the past. On Wednesday, EU officials told journalists the bloc will be investing $45 million in Africa to boost local production.