Building Pharmaceutical Sovereignty in Southern Africa: Maravion’s Work on ARVs and Dolutegravir Production

At Maravion, we are committed to advancing health equity and regional manufacturing capacity in Southern Africa. Over the past several years, we’ve been proud to contribute our expertise to critical studies shaping the future of the pharmaceutical sector in the SADC region, particularly in antiretroviral (ARV) production and the scaling of dolutegravir (DTG), a cornerstone drug in the fight against HIV.

A Regional Vision: Strengthening SADC's Pharmaceutical Ecosystem

In 2020, Maravion was part of a multidisciplinary team led by RebelGroup South Africa, conducting a pre-feasibility study for the SADC Secretariat. The project focused on building regional manufacturing capacity across key health sectors, — including antiretrovirals, antimalarials, diagnostics, and personal protective equipment.

Maravion’s specific contribution centered on enhancing private sector participation in the regional ARV value chain. This involved:

• A comprehensive situational analysis of existing pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in SADC;

• Market assessments of high-priority products;

• Stakeholder engagement with industry leaders, manufacturers, and policymakers;

• Development of techno-economic models;

• And the creation of four detailed business cases to guide future investment decisions.

The goal was not just to map what exists, but to chart a realistic, sustainable path for expanding the region’s self-reliance in life-saving health technologies.

Advancing Dolutegravir Manufacturing in SADC

Building on this momentum, in 2023, Maravion supported a dedicated feasibility study on the upscaling of Dolutegravir (DTG) production in the region, — a project of strategic importance to SADC’s ARV security.

Our team undertook a rigorous analysis of:

• API and finished dose manufacturing processes;

• Human capital and skills needs for high-quality pharmaceutical production;

• Infrastructure and capital requirements, including the design and costing of a potential R500 million industrial manufacturing facility;

• Comparative techno-economic modelling of various production scenarios;

• And the ranking of viable models based on sustainability, scalability, and cost-competitiveness.

The study also explored opportunities for regional and international partnerships, ensuring the proposed solution aligns with global quality standards while prioritising regional resilience and ownership.

Driving Impact Through Actionable Intelligence

Through these efforts, Maravion continues to support evidence-based investment and industrial policy that positions SADC to leverage its health demand for economic and social transformation. Our work underscores the importance of regional integration, private sector engagement, and a pragmatic, long-term vision for pharmaceutical sovereignty.

We remain committed to collaborating with public and private partners to build a robust, inclusive, and future-proof pharmaceutical manufacturing base in Southern Africa — one that delivers not just medicines, but resilience, jobs, and dignity.

Strengthening SADC's Pharmaceutical Ecosyste