Local test manufacture will boost climate resilience in Africa

May 14, 2025

A Nigerian health technology company, Codix Bio, will begin manufacturing rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) following a technology transfer from the global in-vitro diagnostics firm, SD Biosensor. This comes after Codix Bio signed a sublicensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool, under the auspices of the World Health Organization.

  • RDTs are field-based epidemiological data-gathering tools that can enhance the resilience of communities to weather and climate-related health emergencies. When information is integrated and presented in an actionable manner, it becomes invaluable for proactive decision-makers.

  • In Africa, local manufacturing of RDTs for climate-related diseases such as malaria and cholera can significantly improve healthcare access and response capabilities. RDTs provide rapid and accurate diagnoses, which are crucial for timely treatment and outbreak control, especially in areas with limited access to traditional diagnostic methods.

  • Our take: In 2024, RDTs were deployed in Malawi to support the cholera outbreak response, with over 1.2 million kits distributed to 14 high-risk countries, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Zambia, and Nigeria… Read more (2 min)

Nigerian health-tech firms RxAll and Sproxil secured funding to address the issue of counterfeit drugs, highlighting global investor focus on Nigeria’s pharmaceutical crisis. This follows a nationwide crackdown in February 2025, which resulted in the seizure of fake drugs, the closure of over 11,000 shops, and calls for the death penalty for offenders.

  • RxAll and Sproxil aim to eliminate counterfeit drugs, protect consumers, and restore trust in global health supply chains. To achieve this, RxAll employs AI drug authentication tools and digital pharmacies, while Sproxil utilises mobile-based verification and tracking systems.

  • In April, Neopenda, Chefaa, Dawa Mkononi, Meditect, mPharma, RxAll, Sproxil, and myDawa all received funding, with a focus on health tech, mostly in pharmaceutical supply chains. Chefaa secured its second round of funding this year after receiving initial funding in March.

  • Our take: Reports from the World Health Organization link substandard drugs to over 500,000 deaths annually across sub-Saharan Africa, with treatment costs for counterfeit malaria drugs alone reaching $44.7 million… Read more (2 min)

The Science for Africa Foundation has launched a new report that explores the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening Africa's health sector. This report, which is the first comprehensive review of national-level perspectives on AI and data science for health in Africa, is based on regional convenings, surveys, literature and policy analysis, and interviews.

  • A previous report by The Lancet Infectious Diseases highlights the role of AI in enhancing surveillance, detection, prediction, and response capabilities for infectious diseases that are increasingly prevalent due to climate change in Africa.

  • AI can improve outbreak detection, data integration, workforce capacity, and decision-making, helping Africa manage over 160 disease outbreaks that occur annually.

  • Our take: Although health is a common topic in AI discussions, most African countries still lack governance structures specifically designed for healthcare technologies…Read more (2 min)

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Italian Members of Parliament visit Machakos in Kenya to experience first-hand the impact of Global Fund-supported HIV and TB programs implemented through the Kenya Red Cross Society and Amref Health Africa.

Events

🗓️ Attend the Africa Health Business Symposium in Nigeria (July 16)

🗓️ Participate in the World Health Expo in Kenya (October 6)

Jobs

🧑‍⚕️ Become the next Patient Experience Officer at Alpha Mead Group (Nigeria)

🧑‍⚕️ Apply to be a Community Health Officer at Partners In Health (Sierra Leone)

🧑‍⚕️ Be the next Operations Manager at EssentialMed (South Africa)

Seen on LinkedIn 

Hama Dubey, the Marketing Vice President at Interakt, says, “With a global investment exceeding $45 billion in healthcare AI, the impact is resonating across Africa's villages, cities, and hospitals. This investment is facilitating access to early diagnostics, remote consultations, and predictive tools capable of averting outbreaks before they emerge.”

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