Youth involvement in local pharmaceutical manufacturing in sub-Saharan Africa: barriers, recommendations, and public health implications

Background: In 2021, Africa imported 99% of its vaccines and 70% of its pharmaceuticals. As such, there has been a growing concern about and acknowledgement of the need for Africa to produce its own medicines. There are, however, only 375 pharmaceutical manufacturers in Africa, most of which are in North Africa, leaving a dearth in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the youthful population of sub-Saharan Africa, with 33% of its population between the ages of 10 and 35, youth are not actively involved in pharmaceutical manufacturing. This commentary explores the barriers to and opportunities for youth inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa’s local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Methods: This commentary synthesises findings from existing literature and case studies of youth engagement in local pharmaceutical manufacturing. It also explores current regional policies relevant to youth involvement in the local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products in sub-Saharan Africa. Results: Several barriers hinder the involvement of youth in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, including a lack of financial capacity among young persons, inadequate training and mentorship, and regulatory hurdles. In addition, policy frameworks from key stakeholders like the WHO rarely include plans for youth involvement in local manufacturing. Conclusion: Youth participation in local manufacturing is important for the growth of the pharmaceutical industry in sub-Saharan Africa and for achieving local self-sufficiency in medicine and vaccines. Future policy revisions should explicitly prioritise youth inclusion in pharmaceutical manufacturing across the region, steps should be taken to promote industry-academia collaborations, and incubation hubs for youth-led pharmaceutical startups should be established. These efforts will enable the region to maximise its demographic advantage and achieve sustainable local pharmaceutical manufacturing.