Macron says France will help Africa make more COVID-19 vaccines locally

France's President Emmanuel Macron briefs media during a state visit, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa May 28, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday France would invest in boosting the production of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa, to help close a gap in the availability of the shots between African and Western nations.

Speaking at a joint news conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, Macron said Africa made up around 20% of the world's need for vaccines but only 1% of vaccine production.