Southern Africa is moving to deepen its collaboration with China on pharmaceutical manufacturing, technology transfer and health security, as governments, pharmaceutical companies and development partners explore ways to strengthen the region's capacity to produce medicines, diagnostics and other health technologies.
The initiative brings together the Southern African Development Community (SADC), UNAIDS, the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII), the governments of South Africa and China, Chinese pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, financial and development partners, and health experts.
The collaboration is being advanced through a five-day SADC-China strategic exchange taking place from 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The exchange is being driven through sustained engagement led by UNAIDS, with GHII playing a key role in connecting African and Chinese industry and innovation partners, according to reports from Arise News and Informanté.
The initiative draws on lessons from the global HIV response, particularly the importance of reliable supply chains, technology, financing, regulatory systems and local capacity in ensuring that lifesaving medicines remain accessible.
UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Anne Githuku-Shongwe, said strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing was about more than producing medicines.
"It is about African countries having greater control over the health products their people depend on, including for HIV, while building the skills, investment, technology and systems needed for long-term health security," she said, as quoted by Informanté.
SADC Secretariat representative Dr Lamboly Kumboneki said health security required countries to have the capacity to produce essential health products. He said the partnership with China could help connect African manufacturing capabilities with the investment, technology and skills required to strengthen pharmaceutical production in the region.
Gary Yang, head of business development and innovation at GHII, said China's healthcare industry had grown significantly in recent decades, creating opportunities for Chinese companies to expand internationally. He added that engagements with South African companies and policymakers had demonstrated a willingness to develop partnerships capable of expanding access to health products.
The initiative comes as countries across Africa seek more resilient health systems, following repeated disruptions to global supply chains and growing concerns over dependence on external sources of essential medicines. For Southern Africa, increased regional manufacturing capacity could reduce vulnerability to external supply disruptions while supporting innovation, skills development, investment and economic growth.
At the conclusion of the exchange, participating partners are expected to identify priority investment opportunities and practical next steps aimed at strengthening regional pharmaceutical manufacturing and health commodity security.