African Leaders Call for Greater Investment and TB Vaccine Readiness as Late-Stage Trials Advance

Cape Town, South Africa – African parliamentarians, scientists, health leaders and global partners meeting in Cape Town last week called for urgent investment and political action to prepare the continent for the potential rollout of the first effective tuberculosis (TB) vaccine for adolescents and adults, as late-stage vaccine trials continue across Africa.

The Anglophone Africa Health and Finance Chairs Meeting, brought together Health and Finance Committee Chairpersons and parliamentary leaders from Botswana, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to strengthen collaboration on TB financing, diagnostics, vaccines, manufacturing and resilient health systems.

In his opening remarks during the meeting, Hon. Stephen Mutinda Mule, Vice Chair and Africa Chair of the Global TB Caucus, called for African-led solutions and closer collaboration between health and finance leaders.

“Africa is still the epicentre of tuberculosis and we must find an African solution,” he said.

Hon. Mule stressed that sustained investment in TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment is essential not only for public health, but also for economic growth, productivity and long-term national resilience.

The Rt Hon Lord Herbert of South Downs CBE PC, Chair and Founder of the Global TB Caucus, stated that the world already possesses many of the tools needed to dramatically reduce the burden of TB.

“The challenge we face is not a scientific one. We have the means to beat TB and the technology is improving all the time. The challenge is to mobilise political will and the resources.”

He added:

“Africa carries 25% of the world’s TB and the epidemic will not be beaten unless Africa beats it.”

The meeting comes as countries across Africa face growing pressure to strengthen domestic health financing amid shifting global funding priorities and increasing demands on public health systems.

“Africa cannot end TB by 2030 with external funding alone,” said Dr. Akudo Ikpeazu, Team Lead, HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and STIs Programme, WHO Regional Office for Africa.

She added:

“Progress that is not financed cannot be preserved.”

Hon. Azwihangwisi Faith Muthambi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health in the Parliament of South Africa, called for stronger integration of health services and closer alignment between health and finance decision-makers.

Noting that communities experience multiple health challenges simultaneously, she stressed that health systems must be designed to respond in a coordinated and people-centred way.

“Health is not a cost but an investment, an investment in economic growth, human capital and national resilience.”

Delegates also visited the UCT Lung Institute and the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, where researchers showcased advances in TB diagnostics, artificial intelligence-supported screening technologies and a pipeline of vaccine candidates currently being tested in Africa and around the world.

Researchers explained that tuberculosis continues to kill more than one million people globally every year and remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.

Speaking during the visit, Prof Norbert Ndjeka of South Africa’s National Department of Health highlighted the importance of innovation in accelerating progress against TB and the country’s leadership in preparing for future vaccine introduction.

“Scientific innovation is not optional. It is essential. We cannot move forward without it.”

South Africa currently chairs the World Health Organization TB Vaccine Accelerator Council and is developing a national roadmap to support future vaccine implementation, positioning the country at the forefront of global efforts to prepare for new TB prevention tools.

Dr. Thembisile Xulu, Chief Executive Officer of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), stressed the urgency of accelerating progress against TB.

“One person is dying every 10 minutes. That is completely unacceptable.”

She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between governments, communities and partners to ensure that advances in innovation reach the people who need them most.

Researchers briefed delegates on progress in the Phase III trial of the M72/AS01E vaccine candidate, one of two TB vaccine candidates currently undergoing Phase III efficacy trials globally, underscoring renewed momentum in the search for new tools to prevent TB.

Earlier trial results demonstrated approximately 50% efficacy in preventing TB disease among adults with latent TB infection, representing the strongest efficacy signal yet seen for a vaccine targeting adolescents and adults. Final efficacy data will be determined upon completion of the ongoing Phase III trial.

Prof Angelique Luabeya Kany Kany, Investigator for the M72 Investigational TB Vaccine Study at SATVI, highlighted both the promise of the vaccine and the need for African countries to begin preparing now for vaccine introduction through stronger regulatory systems, manufacturing capacity and community engagement.

“Are we ready, as African countries with a high burden of TB, to roll out this vaccine when it crosses the line?”

Prof Luabeya emphasised that vaccine preparedness must begin long before regulatory approval to ensure equitable access once a vaccine becomes available.

Delegates also explored next-generation approaches to TB prevention and heard updates on the broader pipeline of vaccine candidates currently under development.

Emily Kobayashi, Director of Vaccine Programmes at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, emphasised the importance of ensuring equitable access if new TB vaccines prove successful.

“Africa is part of the development of this vaccine from the beginning and Africa should have access to it in good time.”

Kobayashi noted that planning for rollout, financing and delivery must begin long before any vaccine receives regulatory approval.

The meeting concluded with renewed calls for stronger parliamentary oversight, increased domestic investment, regional collaboration and sustained support for African-led innovation to ensure that new tools reach the communities most affected by TB.