Zambia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China to establish the country’s first cholera vaccine manufacturing facility.
The project, announced on Monday, aims to strengthen Zambia’s fight against cholera, a disease that is severely impacting public health and productivity.
The initial stage of the plant, costing $37 million, will be developed through a partnership between Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and China’s Yoshika International Medical Technology Co., Ltd. The facility is expected to produce about 3 million doses per year.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka, emphasized the importance of the project in eradicating cholera in the country. He emphasized that Zambia has the potential to become an important manufacturing hub for Africa as the continent’s population continues to grow rapidly.
“This partnership sends a message that Zambia, Africa and the world can work together effectively. We aim to make Zambia a manufacturing hub serving a larger market,” Hichilema said. spoke.
The President also stressed that the project must avoid bureaucratic delays due to its important purpose of saving lives. As part of the agreement, China will donate 3 million doses of cholera vaccine to Zambia before production begins.
Zambia faced a severe cholera outbreak earlier this year that claimed more than 400 lives and infected more than 10,000. Although cholera is a treatable disease, it remains a threat in the country, especially during the rainy season.
