MTN donates Ksh.2B to support African Union COVID-19 vaccine program

South African based telco operator MTN has donated Ksh.2.8 billion to the African Union (AU) to support regional COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

The firm which has further entered a private-public partnership with the continent body says the donation will help secure up to seven million doses of the vaccine for health workers.

“The devastating impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and profound. Public and private partnerships are needed if we are to succeed in the fight against the pandemic and restore social and economic norms for our continent and our communities,” said Ralph Mupita, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MTN Group.

The donation is part of the continent’s private sector contribution towards the access and distribution of the pandemic’s remedy.

“We believe ongoing collaborations with key stakeholders across sectors are essential as vaccines are deployed,” added Mupita.

So far, the African Union has secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses on behalf of its member states through advanced procurement commitment guarantees of up to Ksh.220 billion ($2 billion) to manufacturers by the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM)