COVID-19
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged donors and countries to buy Covid-19 vaccines from African manufacturers.
Ramaphosa made the remarks while addressing an international meeting on Covid-19 on Thursday.
Last week, South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare which won a deal to package and sell the Johnson & Johnson vaccine said the plant risked closing down after failing to get a single order.
The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it was doing everything it could to prevent the facility from closing down.
The facility was hailed as a trailblazer for Africa, which remains the least vaccinated continent.
Johnson&Johnson vaccines also have a reputation problem. Last April, South Africa stopped administering the drug after it was blamed for causing blood clots in adults.
The African Union's goal is to produce 60% of all vaccines administered in Africa locally by 2040, up from the current 1%, and several such plants are being set up.
Vaccine plants will be set up in Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt and Senegal.
Go to video
Ireland edges South Africa in Rugby World Cup clash of titans
02:23
S.A: 4th edition of Comic Con Africa, the continent's largest pop culture festival kicks off
01:35
South Africa leader says money spent on war is 'indictment' of world
02:20
S.A: rhinos at world largest farm to be released in protected areas across Africa
Go to video
SA advises two-minute shower over water shortage
01:12
South Africa: Unusual waves hit the coast of Cape Town