The United States has announced a commitment to support Fondation Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), a vaccine manufacturer in Senegal, to bolster the production of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
In a statement, the U.S. said the project will be achieved through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), International Finance Corporation (IFC), European Investment Bank (EIB), and AFD, the French Development Agency.
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The statement hinted that this is part of the effort under President Biden’s leadership to support vaccine manufacturing capacity across the globe.
According to DFC’s Chief Operating Officer, David Marchick, with the COVID-19 cases on the rise in Africa, this critical investment in vaccine manufacturing capacity in Senegal could not come at a better time.
Marchick said working with the IFC and European partners, will boost COVID-19 vaccinations on the African continent and contribute to long-term health and prosperity.
The investment in IPD represents DFC’s third investment in boosting global vaccine manufacturing.
The DFC’s effort is a core part of the Biden administration’s effort to boost manufacturing in multiple regions, in large and small countries, and with different technologies.
It also aligned with the administration’s COVID-19 Global Response and Recovery Framework.