Mozambique: Building a Regional Reference Laboratory and Expanding Infrastructure

In Mozambique, the ADF project will modernise the Instituto Nacional de Saude so that it can function as a regional reference laboratory within the SADC health security framework. This upgrade will enhance Mozambique’s capacity to perform high quality diagnostic testing, integrate advanced biosafety and laboratory information systems and coordinate regional surveillance efforts. The improvements will address long standing weaknesses in laboratory infrastructure and will support Mozambique’s efforts to strengthen early detection of disease outbreaks. The initiative forms part of a broader suite of AfDB investments designed to raise the resilience of public health systems, particularly in countries repeatedly affected by cholera, zoonotic outbreaks, high malnutrition rates and insufficient human resources.

The modernisation of the Instituto Nacional de Saude is expected to generate demand for laboratory automation, diagnostic instruments, cold chain systems and environmental monitoring technologies, particularly as Mozambique expands its surveillance capabilities and aligns its health systems with regional quality standards. The deployment of a mobile cross border laboratory at strategic border points between Mozambique and Zimbabwe will further enhance cooperation on surveillance, reduce delays in emergency response and improve the country’s ability to monitor cross border health risks.

Lesotho: Strengthening National Blood Services and Emergency Readiness

In Lesotho, the project will strengthen the national blood bank, an institution that plays a central role in emergency response and clinical service delivery. The planned improvements will enhance blood screening, storage reliability and laboratory safety, and will help the country achieve higher standards of quality control. These upgrades are intended to support national efforts to build a more resilient health infrastructure that is better equipped to manage outbreaks and other emergencies. The investment also aligns Lesotho more closely with regional initiatives that are working to standardise laboratory systems, improve emergency nutrition management and develop regionally trained personnel. By enhancing the operational stability of its blood bank and participating in the ADF supported workforce programmes, Lesotho will be better positioned to integrate into shared surveillance networks and contribute to a coordinated regional response capability. The broader package of ADF supported reforms will also create an environment in which reliable suppliers of laboratory equipment, diagnostic technologies and training systems will play an increasingly important role in facilitating Lesotho’s progress toward stronger health system resilience.

Cross-cutting opportunities for Czech Companies in the Region 

The ADF funded programme creates a growing set of commercial opportunities for Czech companies in several technical fields. The planned upgrades to health infrastructure in Mozambique and Lesotho will require advanced diagnostic platforms, laboratory automation systems, integrated information management software, biosafety equipment and reliable cold chain storage solutions. Since procurement under the African Development Fund follows open international competitive procedures, Czech manufacturers with strengths in precision engineering and medical instrumentation are well positioned to participate competitively in these international tenders. The project’s investment in wastewater surveillance and environmental monitoring laboratories across six SADC countries also presents significant opportunities for Czech firms specialising in water quality analysis technologies, environmental laboratory instrumentation and remote sensing tools.

These facilities are being developed from a relatively low baseline and offer suppliers a favourable market entry environment with limited incumbent competition. The programme’s emphasis on workforce development provides additional prospects for Czech training institutions and technology providers.  With 449 laboratory technicians and community health workers receiving technical training and 35 nutrition specialists pursuing certification, there is strong potential for Czech organisations to offer digital learning platforms, laboratory training systems, simulation tools and specialised curricula. Taken together, these developments offer Czech companies the chance to form long term partnerships, establish a regional presence and support the expansion of health infrastructure that will continue to evolve over the coming decade.

Key Takeaways:

The approval of the ADF’s 9.57 million US dollar regional health security grant represents an important moment for health system development across the Southern African Development Community. By supporting laboratory modernisation, environmental surveillance capacity and regional workforce training, the project addresses key vulnerabilities that have contributed to delayed detection of outbreaks and limited emergency preparedness in Mozambique, Lesotho and other participating states.

As these systems expand, they will generate sustained multi year demand for advanced medical technologies, training services and technical support solutions. For Czech industry, this represents a timely opportunity to align specialised capabilities with the emerging needs of SADC health institutions. By engaging early with regional partners and participating in open procurement processes, Czech companies can establish a durable footprint in a market that is rapidly developing from a modest base. In doing so, they can contribute to the construction of a more resilient regional health architecture while securing long term commercial opportunities within Southern Africa’s expanding health technology landscape.

Author: Amogelang Segole, Industry and Trade Specialist