Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance announced on 15 May 2026 in Geneva that it will seek Board approval to deploy US$ 189 million in additional investment to accelerate the development of Africa’s vaccine manufacturing sector, according to a press release. The new package, named AVMA+, is slated to be presented to Gavi’s Board in July. It is designed to super-charge the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) by tackling bottlenecks and procuring up to 70 million vaccine doses from start-up manufacturers. The announcement comes as AVMA prepares to make its first cash disbursement to an African vaccine manufacturer in the second half of 2026. The measures aim to catalyze a successful and sustainable vaccine manufacturing sector on the continent.
AVMA was launched in 2024 in close collaboration with the African Union and Africa CDC. The initiative was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the cost to Africa of relying on imported vaccines. At the time, the continent accounted for only 0.1% of global vaccine production, despite being home to 20% of the world’s population. As a result, African countries found themselves at the back of the queue when seeking vaccines during the pandemic. AVMA was structured to make a total of US$ 1 billion in incentives available to manufacturers that hit critical regulatory and supply milestones.
AVMA+ has been designed to provide additional support in two key areas. The first addresses specific regulatory and market entry bottlenecks that are acting as a brake on investment. The second offers guaranteed demand to African producers through direct purchases of up to 70 million doses of African-manufactured vaccines, following competitive tender processes, once those vaccines reach the market. In its first 18 months, AVMA has helped secure thirteen individual technology transfer agreements. These agreements have led to commercial-scale manufacturing facilities being built in six African countries.
“In its first 18 months, AVMA has made remarkable progress, helping secure thirteen individual technology transfer agreements that have led to commercial-scale manufacturing facilities being built in six African countries,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
She added that as manufacturing partners continue down the pathway towards prequalification and full commercialisation, the new investments enabled by AVMA+ will accelerate the timelines for when African demand for vaccines will be met by local production. “This is the right thing to do for Africa’s economic development and it is the right thing to do for our global health security,” she said. Dr Nishtar also stated that the additional funds will provide powerful impetus toward building a sustainable vaccine manufacturing sector in Africa. AVMA is expected to begin disbursing cash to manufacturers in the second half of this year.
Since AVMA’s launch in 2024, US$ 3 billion in additional financing has been mobilised. With thirteen technology transfer agreements already signed between African manufacturers and global partners, the first AVMA-supported, Africa-manufactured vaccines could be deployed as early as 2027. The AVMA+ proposal will be considered by Gavi’s Board in July. If approved, it will reinforce the broader effort to ensure Africa is no longer dependent on imported vaccines. The initiative continues Gavi’s collaboration with the African Union and Africa CDC to strengthen the continent’s vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.
