As the COVID-19 death toll steadily rises and governments around the world invoke emergency measures, national trade restrictions are tightening, supply chains remain disrupted and imports are being severely limited. With China currently accounting for 41% of all PPE imports and 94% of the continent's pharmaceutical supplies shipped in, this puts countries like Kenya in a perilous position in accessing essential markets.

This proved to be the case with complex technological and industrial solutions linked to treating COVID-19, specifically ventilators, the demand for which has increased significantly during the pandemic estimated at 400,000 units across the continent. However, it is not just the $50,000 price tag that makes meeting this demand a challenge. The upsurge in demand calls for large increases in production but also for innovation, with local manufacturing and expertise emerging as critical components in addressing COVID-19 treatment needs, as well as igniting the post-pandemic recovery.

In the first roundtable event of the series, we will be convening a diverse group of experts to determine exactly what it will take to successfully design, manufacture and sell a ventilator in Kenya. This will involve identifying the trade and industrial policy barriers currently impeding innovation, as well as opportunities to strengthen and support local scientific and technical design hubs. Together, we can help make complex biomedical and diagnostic technology manufacturing in Kenya a reality.