By Mohamed Lamin Banya
A major regional research initiative aimed at strengthening vaccine development and delivery systems across Africa has been officially launched in Freetown.
The project, titled “Collaborative Network for Novel and Enhanced Capacity in Vaccine Advancement in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Sierra Leone (CONNECT-VAX),” is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
The initiative seeks to improve the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of vaccine ecosystems in the four participating countries by addressing key gaps in research, regulation, and public engagement.
Specifically, the project will assess and strengthen vaccine research and development (R&D) capacity in East and West Africa, analyse and enhance regulatory frameworks governing vaccine development and deployment, examine factors influencing vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, and improve vaccine delivery systems, including logistics, cold chain management, human resources, and data systems.
These focus areas target long-standing challenges that have hindered effective immunisation systems across the region.
The initiative aligns with national development strategies such as Kenya Vision 2030, Uganda Vision 2040 and National Development Plan IV, Tanzania Development Vision 2025, and Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), all of which prioritise health sector resilience, biotechnology advancement, and human capital development.
It also supports continental frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Africa CDC’s Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM), which aims to produce 60 percent of Africa’s vaccines by 2040.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, underscored the importance of building local scientific capacity.
“This project aligns with Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence, improving public health outcomes, and empowering our institutions to contribute meaningfully to global health security,” she said.
Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara emphasised the role of higher education institutions in driving innovation, noting that universities must evolve into centres of discovery, enterprise, and national problem-solving.
The Chairman of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Council (NSTIC), Prof. Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr, described the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening regional collaboration and scientific capacity.
Project Coordinator Dr. Thomas Philip Songu stated that the initiative would empower African researchers to lead in vaccine innovation and better prepare the region for future health emergencies.
The IDRC’s support underscores its commitment to advancing science, innovation, and development in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on equitable access to vaccines.
The project is expected to deliver long-term impact by strengthening research infrastructure, enhancing collaboration, and supporting evidence-based policymaking in vaccine science.
