# Southern Africa pharmaceutical manufacturing initiative > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/southern-africa-pharmaceutical-manufacturing-initiative > Updated: 2026-09-05T14:44:01.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. UNAIDS, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and China have launched a strategic initiative to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing within Southern Africa. The collaboration aims to reduce the region's dependence on imported medicines and external supply chains by strengthening local production of essential health products, including medicines, diagnostics, and health technologies. A five-day strategic exchange held in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town brought together the governments of South Africa and China, Chinese pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and health experts. The Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII) is facilitating connections between African and Chinese industry and innovation partners. The initiative focuses on technology transfer, financing, regulatory systems, and building reliable supply chains, drawing on lessons from the global HIV response. Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, stated the effort is intended to ensure African countries have “greater control over the health products their people depend on” and to build systems for long-term health security. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: UNAIDS, China, and South Africa partner to boost African pharmaceutical production UNAIDS, China, and South Africa are partnering to boost pharmaceutical manufacturing in Southern Africa, while Mozambique seeks Brazilian agricultural technology to enhance food security. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unaids-china-and-south-africa-partner-to-boost-african-pharmaceutical-production ### 2026-09-01: Southern Africa partners with China and UNAIDS to boost local medicine production UNAIDS, SADC, and China are partnering to boost pharmaceutical manufacturing in Southern Africa, aiming to increase local production of medicines and diagnostics to enhance regional health security. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-africa-partners-with-china-and-unaids-to-boost-local-medicine-production --- Cite as: Southern Africa pharmaceutical manufacturing initiative. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/southern-africa-pharmaceutical-manufacturing-initiative