Morocco Strengthens Its Health Sovereignty Through Strategic Partnership with Sanofi to Localize Vaccine Production
On October 29, 2025, a strategic industrial agreement was signed between the French group Sanofi and the Moroccan company Marbio, aimed at establishing a local base for vaccine production in Morocco. This step reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to enhance its health sovereignty and develop the biotechnology industry at the African level.
The project aims to manufacture vaccines targeting seven major diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), in addition to a vaccine against meningococcal disease. The program also includes plans to expand production to encompass innovative vaccines for rabies, influenza, and yellow fever, with the possibility of producing booster doses using advanced biological technologies.
The new production unit will be established in the Benslimane area, under the joint supervision of teams from both companies, to serve as a regional platform for vaccine development and production, and a key support for strengthening African industrial capacities in the health sector.
In a statement, Marc Funk, CEO of Marbio, noted that this agreement represents “a pivotal milestone towards building an independent African network for vaccine production.” Meanwhile, Jean-Philippe Prost, General Director for Africa at Sanofi, affirmed that the project “reflects the company’s commitment to supporting health coverage and developing a local innovation system capable of addressing future challenges.”
This initiative comes in the context of increasing South-South cooperation, showcasing Morocco’s dedication to localizing biopharmaceutical industries, which enhances its role as a key player in continental health security and supports international efforts aimed at achieving vaccine self-sufficiency in Africa.
