The importance of developing vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa was underlined by the Global Vaccine Action Plan resolution at the 2015 World Health Assembly where there was a call for Member States to seek opportunities for national and regional vaccine production and to investigate procurement options for improved access to and supply of vaccines. In addition to improving response to emergency situations, African vaccine manufacturing could improve security and sustainability of vaccine supply, respond to unmet health needs of a growing population and aid socioeconomic development in Africa.