Dr. Sania Nishtar Praises France’s Support for African Vaccine Manufacturing at Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi

At the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, global health leaders, African heads of state, development agencies and international partners gathered to discuss the future of healthcare investment, vaccine production and health sovereignty across Africa. Among the leading voices at the summit was Dr. Sania Nishtar, who played a significant role in discussions focused on vaccine equity, healthcare reform and strengthening regional vaccine manufacturing across the African continent.

Serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr. Nishtar highlighted the importance of building sustainable vaccine manufacturing systems within Africa to reduce reliance on imported medical supplies during future global health emergencies. During the summit, she stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep inequalities in vaccine distribution and demonstrated why developing countries must strengthen their own healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical production capabilities.

One of the central initiatives discussed was the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), launched in France in 2024 with the support of French President Emmanuel Macron and the African Union. Dr. Nishtar thanked President Macron and international partners for supporting efforts aimed at empowering Africa’s health sovereignty and creating long-term vaccine production capacity within the continent.

According to summit participants, AVMA is designed to provide financial incentives and technical support to African vaccine manufacturers, helping countries develop local pharmaceutical industries, improve supply chains and prepare for future pandemics. Dr. Nishtar also linked the initiative to Gavi’s broader reform agenda, known as Gavi Leap, which focuses on innovation, faster vaccine delivery and equitable immunization access worldwide.

Dr. Nishtar’s participation at the summit also drew attention in South Asian policy circles because of her previous public service career in Pakistan. She formerly served in key health and social protection roles and was internationally recognized for her work on poverty alleviation and healthcare reforms. However, political observers have often noted that despite her international reputation and recognition in global health institutions, she faced political challenges in Pakistan and eventually stepped away from government responsibilities before continuing her work internationally. Her move to global health leadership has since been viewed by many analysts as an example of how internationally recognized Pakistani professionals have often found broader opportunities abroad after facing political and administrative difficulties at home.

At the Nairobi summit, Dr. Nishtar held meetings with African ministers, healthcare experts, development banks, pharmaceutical companies and international donors to encourage cooperation on vaccine manufacturing and healthcare investment. Participants said stronger regional production would not only improve emergency preparedness but also support economic growth, scientific research and employment opportunities across Africa.

The summit concluded with renewed commitments toward healthcare partnerships, equitable vaccine access and investment in Africa’s pharmaceutical future. Dr. Nishtar reaffirmed Gavi’s commitment to supporting African-led healthcare solutions and strengthening collaborations aimed at creating resilient and self-reliant healthcare systems for the continent.