Africa-Press – Botswana. In the heart of Southern Africa, the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) stands as a testament to resilience, innovation and national pride. Born from a desperate national crisis in the late 1970s, this remarkable institution has not only safeguarded Botswana’s vital cattle industry it has also evolved into a formidable player on the global stage. Equally, it is aspiring to be Africa’s largest antigen bank and a global centre of excellence in infectious disease control.
The genesis of BVI
Botswana’s economy once heavily relied on its cattle, with livestock contributing almost 40% of its GDP and serving as the livelihood for nearly every Motswana. The nation enjoyed robust beef exports to the European Union until a devastating outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the late 1970s brought trade to a grinding halt. This “desperate situation” spurred the government to seek a sustainable solution.
In 1978, Botswana forged a crucial partnership with French company Merieux (now Iglam after a merger), which had already advanced in FMD vaccine research and production. This collaboration led to the formation of BVI in 1979, with the mandate to secure the beef industry by ensuring a constant supply of FMD vaccines. A self-contained laboratory arrived by aircraft in 1978, marking the humble but determined beginnings of BVI. This founding partnership has continued, evolving with new agreements every decade, including the latest in January this year.
A bold new strategy: “Lepelong ya Moleepi ” – Where there’s a will, there’s a way**
BVI CEO Andrew Madeswi told the media this week that in 2021, BVI launched an ambitious five-year transformation strategy, aptly named “Lepelong Ya Moleepi,” signifying that with strong will, a way to succeed will be found. This strategy is anchored by two critical goals:
Africa’s Largest Antigen Bank: Recognising that vaccine production can take 2-3 months too long during an outbreak – BVI is building Africa’s first and largest antigen bank. This facility will store partially formulated vaccines, allowing for rapid response and distribution to customers within one to three weeks of an outbreak. This facility is nearing completion and will significantly enhance BVI’s ability to be a trusted and reliable supplier amidst growing competition.
Diversification: Historically, FMD vaccine contributed nearly 90% of BVI’s revenue. This over-reliance posed a significant risk, akin to Botswana’s dependence on diamonds. The “40-40” goal aims to replace 40% of FMD revenue with other products, broadening BVI’s portfolio to include vaccines for diseases like Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Blackleg, and Anthrax. This diversification is crucial for long-term survival and sustainable growth.
From losses to profitability: A financial turnaround
According to Madeswi before the new strategy, BVI faced significant financial challenges, incurring losses of P23 million in 2019 and P27 million in 2020. However, the implementation of “Lepelong Ya Moleepi” spurred an impressive turnaround. BVI moved from these losses to record profits, with P46 million in 2021, P45 million in 2022, and P246 million in revenue in 2023 – the highest in the institute’s history.
While 2024 saw revenue drop to P162 million due to equipment breakdown and customer payment delays, BVI still recorded a P11 million profit, marking it as the second-highest revenue year in recent history and demonstrating remarkable resilience. Non-FMD revenue also showed growth during this period, increasing from P11 million in 2019 to P17 million in 2021, indicating potential for further diversification.
Navigating challenges, driving innovation
BVI’s journey has not been without obstacles. The institute faces a significant challenge with aging and obsolete equipment, some over 40 years old. This leads to perennial downtime, production losses, high maintenance costs (as spares are hard to find), and even safety hazards. To address this, BVI has committed to a five-year, P500 million capital investment program to modernise facilities and replace critical equipment, recognising it as a necessary investment for sustainability.
Despite these hurdles, BVI has made substantial progress in operational excellence and innovation.
Research & Development (R&D) Formerly without an R&D department, BVI now has a functional and operational R&D division, reflecting its commitment to becoming a research-intensive institution.
Quality Standards, BVI has achieved international certifications, including ISO 17025 (laboratory systems) and ISO 9001, and recently obtained a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) license, enabling it to compete globally.
Digital Transformation, The company has fully implemented the SAP S/4HANA enterprise resource management system, automating processes and improving efficiency.
Human Capital, BVI reorganised its structure, increasing staff from 110 to 150 employees and achieving an impressive 83% staff engagement result in an external survey.
Customer Centricity, BVI implemented a “total customer value proposition,” moving beyond just manufacturing to offer technical support, disease investigation, and post-vaccination quality control, resulting in 73% customer satisfaction, Brand perception has also improved to 67%.
A pillar for farmers and a regional guardian
For local farmers like Petrus Nyatsang, secretary-general for the Block Beef Producers Association, BVI’s FMD vaccine has been crucial, protecting his livestock and livelihood, though he notes challenges in accessing non-BVI vaccines from distributors. Nyatsang advocates for BVI to diversify further and collaborate with local universities to develop vaccines from indigenous plants, especially for challenges like poisonous plants, which caused him “serious losses” for years. He emphasizes the dire consequences if vaccines were unavailable, stating it would affect his household’s “bread basket” and the country’s economy.
BVI is not just a local hero; it’s a regional powerhouse. As an export-oriented institution, 90% of its products are exported to all SADC countries and even beyond to the East, West, and Middle East.
When South Africa faced an FMD emergency, BVI provided a rapid response, supplying 900,000 FMD vaccines and participating in critical discussions to reshape regional control measures. Countries like Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are consistently key customers, though the behavior of disease outbreaks can shift market dynamics.
BVI’s Quality Manager, Kitso Mabolokanye, recently gained insights from a prestigious training in South Korea, observing that BVI is one of the few African institutions engaged in full-scale vaccine production, setting it apart from many peers who are still focused on fill, finish, and packaging. This positions BVI uniquely to help Africa achieve the Africa CDC’s ambitious goal of producing 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs locally by 2040.
Vision for the future: Expanding footprint, cementing legacy
BVI’s vision extends beyond current achievements. It aims to deepen its production capacity, expand its trade for customers with more diversified products, and significantly enhance its R&D capabilities to become a recognized authority in infectious diseases. The institute is even exploring establishing one or two other strategic production sites elsewhere on the continent, expanding its physical footprint beyond Botswana.
As Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, noted during a visit, BVI has the potential to become not only a continental hub of excellence but a global industry leader in animal health. BVI remains a strategic asset to the government, contributing to food security, enabling beef trade, creating employment, and driving academic and economic transformation.
BVI’s journey, from an aircraft-delivered laboratory to a globally recognised biomanufacturing leader, is a powerful narrative of vision, perseverance, and profound impact, making it a true source of national pride for every Motswana.
Source: Mmegi Online
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