Applications are now open for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Biomanufacturing Fellowship Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity to produce vaccines and other essential health products locally.

Background

In line with the vision of the African Union and its call for a New Public Health Order, Africa is working toward improved health security and economic resilience under Agenda 2063. One of the most critical priorities is expanding domestic manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and related medical countermeasures.

Currently, less than one percent of vaccines used across Africa are produced on the continent, creating heavy reliance on external suppliers and limiting the region’s ability to respond effectively to pandemics and public health emergencies.

To address this gap, the African Union launched the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) in 2021. The initiative seeks to ensure that Africa produces at least 60 percent of its vaccine needs by 2040, with interim milestones of 10 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030. In 2024, the programme evolved into the Platform for Harmonised African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM), expanding its mandate beyond vaccines to include therapeutics, diagnostics, and broader health manufacturing systems.

The Challenge

Achieving continental vaccine manufacturing targets requires a significant expansion of the skilled workforce. Current estimates indicate that the existing workforce of approximately 3,000 professionals must nearly quadruple.

However, Africa faces limited specialized training pathways in biomanufacturing. Many graduates and professionals lack access to structured upskilling opportunities, while existing employees often cannot leave their positions for extended training periods. Existing initiatives remain fragmented and insufficient to meet industry demand.

Programme Objective

To help close this skills gap, Africa CDC is introducing a dedicated Biomanufacturing Fellowship Programme. The fellowship aims to cultivate highly skilled professionals capable of supporting Africa’s growing biomanufacturing ecosystem through specialized training and practical industry exposure.

About the Fellowship

The programme is designed to strengthen technical expertise aligned with Africa CDC’s Vaccine Research & Development and Manufacturing Competency Frameworks. Beyond technical skills, fellows will also receive training in leadership, mentorship, management practices, enterprise resource planning, and entrepreneurship.

Participants will undertake a two-year learning journey combining theoretical instruction with hands-on industry experience, while developing expertise in a selected area of biomanufacturing specialization.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of an African Union Member State
• Hold a valid passport
• Be available to participate in training activities hosted in designated programme countries

Selection Process

A review committee established under PHAHM will assess all applications. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of evaluation. A total of five fellows will be selected for the programme.

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship will run from July 2026 to June 2028.

• Application Deadline: 20 April 2026
• Notification of Selected Candidates: By 1 June 2026

Africa CDC encourages applications from qualified individuals across all African Union Member States regardless of gender, disability status, religion, ethnicity, or marital status. Women professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.