Perspective Calls for Continent-Led Hubs to Bridge Science and Manufacturing
A new Nature Medicine Perspective highlights the urgent need for regionally coordinated R&D hubs across Africa to accelerate basic science, translational research, clinical development and local manufacturing of health products. The article, co-authored by Nicaise Ndembi of the Africa CDC and Jerome Kim, argues that fragmented national efforts must give way to hubs with continental mandates that can support product pipelines, clinical trials, regulatory science and manufacturing innovation.
South African institutions are positioned at the forefront of these developments. The WHO mRNA Technology Transfer Hub hosted by Afrigen Biologics in Cape Town, in partnership with Biovac and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), exemplifies the model. The hub coordinates regional R&D and has already facilitated technology transfer to partners in 15 low- and middle-income countries.
University Roles in Building Research Capacity
South African universities including the University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch University and the University of Pretoria are central to training the next generation of researchers and technicians. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) works closely with these institutions through contract research and graduate student placements, creating a sustainable pipeline of skills for biologics manufacturing under programmes such as SAVax.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) have increased funding for collaborative projects that align with the AfCFTA-Anchored Pharma Initiative and the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation. These investments support multidisciplinary teams that link laboratory discovery to pilot-scale production.
Regulatory and Policy Alignment
Successful hubs require harmonised regulatory frameworks. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is strengthening capacity for expedited review of products developed in regional hubs. A proposed inter-ministerial cluster on biotechnology and vaccine manufacturing, co-chaired by the Ministers of Health and Higher Education, Science and Innovation, would coordinate policy across trade, industry, agriculture and finance.
Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing remains a critical gap. Only limited capacity exists in South Africa for paracetamol, codeine and one cancer drug. Establishing dedicated pharmaceutical parks with incentives for land, energy and effluent treatment is seen as essential for scaling API production.
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Skills Development and Academic Career Pathways
Regional hubs create new academic and research career pathways. Postdoctoral fellowships, industry-linked PhD programmes and short courses in biomanufacturing are expanding at South African universities. The H3D Foundation and Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA) support retention of African scientists through targeted training and seed funding.
These initiatives address the historical brain drain by offering competitive salaries, modern laboratory infrastructure and clear progression routes from research assistant to principal investigator roles within hub networks.
Case Studies from South African Institutions
The CSIR’s dual role in proof-of-concept research and hands-on training demonstrates how statutory bodies can anchor university-industry partnerships. Similar models are emerging at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Johannesburg, where new centres focus on mRNA platform technologies and vaccine formulation.
Early results show increased publication output in high-impact journals and a rise in collaborative grants with African and international partners.
Challenges and Risks
Despite momentum, challenges persist. Technology transfer agreements must include robust intellectual property provisions. Energy reliability and water treatment infrastructure remain bottlenecks for API plants. Public procurement policies need reform to favour local manufacturers while maintaining quality standards.
Fragmented funding and short project cycles risk undermining long-term hub sustainability. Coordinated continental financing mechanisms, including support from the African Development Bank and BRICS New Development Bank, are required.
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Future Outlook for Higher Education
By 2030, South African universities are expected to host expanded master’s and doctoral programmes explicitly aligned with regional hub priorities. New academic posts in regulatory science, bioprocess engineering and clinical trial management are anticipated. International partnerships will intensify, with joint degrees and staff exchanges becoming standard.
The Perspective underscores that higher education institutions are not peripheral but core engines of the emerging African R&D ecosystem.