In a moment of rising urgency for regional health autonomy, Dr. Nibal Dahaba, a visionary biotech leader and General Manager of Gennecs Pharmaceuticals, is spearheading one of Egypt’s most ambitious pharmaceutical manufacturing projects to date — a landmark step toward vaccine sovereignty for the African continent.
At the heart of her mission is the construction of a fully integrated vaccine production complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, a strategic trade corridor with vast export potential. The facility, which will cover 49,000 square meters, is designed to handle the entire vaccine lifecycle — from formulation and filling to packaging — using cutting-edge European-imported machinery already acquired through finalized international contracts.
“This is not just an investment in industry — it’s an investment in the future health resilience of Africa,” Dahaba said in a recent interview with Egypt’s Hapi Journal. “We’re building something Egypt and the entire region can own and scale.”
Through Gennecs Pharmaceuticals, Dahaba is advancing a bold plan to localize vaccine manufacturing at scale, reducing the region’s dependence on foreign supply chains. Backed by $150 million in capital investment, the plant is expected to reach full production capacity by 2027, with an annual output of up to 270 million doses — enough to serve domestic needs and open export corridors throughout the Global South.
But beyond its scale and technical ambition, the project reflects a deeper strategy — one rooted in global collaboration and technology transfer. Under Dahaba’s direction, Gennecs has signed 11 international agreements with leading vaccine developers across India, China, South Korea, Japan, and Denmark, securing access to intellectual property, production know-how, and scientific innovation.
Gennecs’ portfolio already includes 28 types of vaccines and serums, and the company is actively exporting to African markets. Sixteen additional vaccines are currently undergoing registration, while five have already received domestic regulatory approval, including vaccines for rabies and cervical cancer — both critical to public health initiatives across Africa.
In recognition of its national significance, the project was granted Egypt’s coveted “Golden License” — a fast-track regulatory status awarded by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to streamline high-impact investments in priority sectors.
Dahaba’s strategy is also anchored in long-term credibility. A dedicated budget has been allocated for World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification, a rigorous global standard that would allow Gennecs’ vaccines to be eligible for procurement by UNICEF, Gavi, and other international bodies.
Positioned within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the facility enjoys direct access to African, Gulf, and European markets — a strategic advantage as Gavi subsidies for African countries are expected to phase out by 2040, creating an urgent need for regional production capacity.
