Morocco Leads Africa’s Mpox Fight with Locally Manufactured Test Kits

In a historic move towards self-reliance in public health, Morocco’s Moldiag startup has become the first African company to produce mpox testing kits. This milestone, achieved during a critical mpox outbreak, highlights the continent’s growing capacity to address health emergencies with locally manufactured solutions.

Africa’s Growing Mpox Challenge

Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported over 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 deaths across 20 countries in 2024, making testing a vital tool for managing the outbreak. Despite the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) call for robust testing, many African nations lack the laboratory infrastructure to process samples, leaving some regions reliant on rudimentary diagnostic methods.

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Mpox, primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact, causes symptoms that often resemble other diseases like chickenpox or measles, necessitating precise diagnostics. However, limited availability of testing facilities in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) hampers effective tracking and containment of the virus.

Moldiag’s Revolutionary Contribution

Moldiag’s $5 mpox tests offer an affordable and accessible alternative, cutting the delays and costs associated with importing kits from Asia or Europe. The startup, affiliated with Morocco’s Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research, developed these kits following its success with COVID-19 and tuberculosis diagnostics. The Africa CDC endorsed Moldiag’s Real-Time PCR mpox test in November 2024, marking it as a reliable diagnostic tool for the continent.

The kits are already being used in Senegal, Nigeria, Burundi, Uganda, and Congo, signaling a shift towards intra-African collaboration in tackling health emergencies. Moldiag’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Nawal Chraibi, emphasised the importance of local manufacturing for Africa’s health resilience, stating: “Strengthening local production is key to empowering the continent in epidemic preparedness and response.”

Africa CDC’s Role in Strengthening Diagnostics

Africa CDC has played a pivotal role in addressing the mpox outbreak. Through its Diagnostic Advisory Committee (DAC), the organisation established quality benchmarks for evaluating and approving testing kits. Moldiag’s PCR test passed these stringent criteria, backed by independent evaluations from the DRC’s National Institute for Biomedical Research.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, praised Morocco’s achievement, highlighting its alignment with the African Union’s vision of a “New Public Health Order for Africa.” He said: “The locally manufactured PCR test for mpox proves that Africa can produce quality medical countermeasures during outbreaks. This is a testament to Africa’s potential for health security.”

Towards Health Sovereignty

The pandemic exposed Africa’s dependency on imported medical supplies, prompting leaders to advocate for localised manufacturing of diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments. Moldiag’s success aligns with the African Union’s strategy to build health sovereignty and reduce disparities in access to medical resources.

Moldiag is also exploring rapid diagnostic solutions, which could further transform Africa’s ability to address public health crises. Rapid tests, which do not require laboratory processing, are in high demand, especially in remote areas lacking infrastructure.

Inspiring the Continent

The development and approval of Moldiag’s mpox tests symbolise a broader movement towards African-driven solutions to global health challenges. The Africa CDC continues to collaborate with local manufacturers and stakeholders to enhance the continent’s capacity to respond effectively to future epidemics.

A New Era for Africa’s Public Health

This milestone not only addresses an immediate need but also inspires confidence in Africa’s ability to tackle health challenges through innovation and collaboration. With leaders like Morocco spearheading these efforts, the continent is making strides towards achieving sustainable health security.