The European Union (EU) delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has engaged members of the private sector to promote and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to manufacture vaccines, medicines, and other health products,
The breakfast meeting, held in Lagos State, also focused on increasing efforts to ensure Nigeria is well equipped to provide the necessary workforce for the health sector in the medium-term, including in both Research and Development as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) paths for those in supportive roles.
Speaking during the meeting of the EU with the private sector, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, noted that the EU is forming sustainable partnerships to increase access to quality, safe, effective, and affordable health products.
He explained that the EU’s efforts are geared towards complementing the government’s efforts through direct grants, contribution agreements, and technical assistance to leverage efforts to address issues in the local manufacturing space.
“There are five work packages. They include: Skills development through education and training; research and development including the use of AI and nano technology; digitalisation of essential dimensions of the ecosystem; centralised system for forecasting, procurement and distribution of quality medical products; and and trade investments and customs facilitation,” he said.
He further stated that EU works via TEI MAV+ and other selected interventions with African partners to strengthen their local pharmaceutical systems and manufacturing capacity via a comprehensive 360-degree approach to tackle barriers in 3 key dimensions, including supply, demand sides, whilst creating an enabling environment for sustainable local manufacturing of vaccines and health products.
“Specifically for MAV+, a country window of €18 million will largely focus on 3 specific objectives – skills development, resilient supply value chains, and access to finance and markets for locally produced goods.
“For skills development, the EU will also strengthen collaborative research and innovation, including through cooperation with European research institutes.
“For digitalisation in the supply chain, this will include support to the establishment of bioequivalence and bioavailability facilities, good manufacturing practices, trace and trace, etc.
“For access to finance and markets, a dedicated Human Development Accelerator (HDX) Nigeria country window financing instrument will be available to improve access to finance for health care businesses, in particular for the private sector, to address areas like local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), etc.,” he said.
