South Africa has initiated clinical trials for the continent’s first vaccine developed entirely on African soil—a domestically produced oral cholera vaccine created by the Cape Town-based pharmaceutical firm Biovac. The trial, launched on 11 November 2025, marks a major step in strengthening Africa’s pharmaceutical independence and pandemic readiness.
The initial phase will test the vaccine’s safety in adults across selected hospitals, with later phases comparing it against existing cholera-vaccines. Health officials said approval could come by 2028 if results are favourable. The government views the initiative as critical given recent outbreaks in neighboring countries and Africa’s dependence on imported vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts believe local production will enhance response capacity, shorten supply-chain delays and build regional manufacturing hubs. The trial participants and technical teams emphasise that this development signals a long-term strategy for health sovereignty beyond the current cholera threat.
