Tanzania estimates to spend about Tsh216 billion ($93 million) by 2030 importing vaccines, which the President says underlies “the importance of building local manufacturing capacity.”
Tanzania plans to start manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines in a move aimed at cutting the cost of importing them.
President Samia Suluhu has asked the European Union to consider funding the plan as the country seeks to become a major exporter of vaccines in East and Southern Africa.
“Tanzania wishes to submit a proposal on the same, and I am looking forward to facilitation of this idea into a fruitful project. I trust this plan, when implemented, will open new avenues to deepen our ties,” President Suluhu told the European Council president Charles Michel during a visit to Belgium.
African countries -- Senegal, Rwanda, South Africa and Kenya -- are also in talks with investors to start the production of coronavirus vaccines.
Tanzania estimates to spend about Tsh216 billion ($93 million) by 2030 importing vaccines, which the President says underlies “the importance of building local manufacturing capacity.”
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the director of Presidential Communications Zuhura Yunus, Tanzania has received development assistance from the EU worth more than 2.3 billion euros ($2.6 billion) since 1975.
Burundi
Meanwhile, President Suluhu also urged the EU to continue supporting the Burundi government to ensure stability and development.