The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is working to boost the production of vaccines in Africa by persuading companies to invest more in the region.
WTO’s Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this while speaking virtually at the annual National Diaspora Day celebration in Abuja on Sunday.
According to the WTO chief, manufacture of vaccines on the continent will reduce vaccination inequality, made more stark by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite rising cases in Africa, many countries have struggled to secure vaccines for their population.
According to the World Health Organisation, only about 1.5% of the population on the continent is fully vaccinated. In countries like the US, the number is well over 50 percent.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala, who used to sit on the board of Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, said attempts have been made to bring the CEOS of “major manufacturing companies from Moderna to Pfizer to AstraZeneca, J&J” to the table.
The WTO boss, however called for the implementation of Diaspora voting in future Nigerian elections.