The Coca-Cola system in Ethiopia officially unveiled the new iconic look of its leading sparkling lemon-lime flavored soft drink, Sprite, in a clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle packaging. The latest shift from its iconic green bottle means more Sprite bottles can be collected, recycled and reused to make new ones, a move that is part of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision, which targets to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells and use 50% recycled content in all its packaging by 2030.
“People can enjoy the same great taste of their favourite sparkling lemon-lime drink knowing their bottle can be easily recycled and made into new bottles,” said Daryl Wilson, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Ethiopia during the launch.
Clear PET can be made into a wide range of new products, such as pillow and duvet inners, as well as into new bottles, making it more valuable than green PET, which has limited uses.
Coca-Cola rolls out Sprite in new clear PET plastic packaging
BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH
Health research has always been regarded as research that adds high value to society. This is because it provides important information about disease trends and risk factors, outcomes of treatment or public health interventions, functional abilities, patterns of care and health care cost and use.
Often we look towards the west or developed countries for credible research and perhaps rightfully so, because of advancements in technology in these countries. However, this narrative is being changed right in our back yard courtesy of AHRI, a research institute with a pool of scientists from Ethiopia in partnership with scientist across the globe. The institute aspires to be the leading medical research and training institute in Africa by 2025 and is rightfully on track to become so.
The institute has taken on diseases such as TB, Leprosy, HIV, and Malaria, to name a few, with regards to its research discoveries and has recently been combating COVID-19 through its research and analysis.
Alemseged Abdissa (PhD) leads AHRI as the deputy director. Capital got hold of the seasoned microbiologist for an in-depth insight of AHRI. Excerpts;
Capital: Describe AHRI to us in an overview highlighting also the institute’s activities on a day-to-day basis.
Alemseged Abdissa: The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 through the initiative of the Norwegian and Swedish Save the Children organizations seconded by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. The Institute got its name from the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who is remembered for his identification of the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae which is the causative agent of leprosy.
AHRI was thus established as a biomedical research institute located next to the All Africa Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Hospital (ALERT). The Institute later joined the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in 2004. AHRI foundationally receives core support for its research activities from SIDA and NORAD as well as through funds from competitive grants.
AHRI at its core is devoted to improve medical care and thus focuses on the health and wellbeing of the public by generating and delivering scientific evidence as well as developing new tools and methods through biomedical, clinical and translational research. Moreover, the institute serves as a hub for technology transfer and capacity building in medical research and training. To this end, currently, AHRI supports 66 Postgraduate (MSc and PhD) theses from universities across Ethiopia. AHRI research activities cover basic (immunology and molecular biology), epidemiological and translational research.
In addition, AHRI has published more than 900 papers in peer reviewed journals so far. It has also produced several theses and dissertations from Ethiopian and international scholars in biomedical research.
Capital: What are some notable research breakthroughs that AHRI has been a part of over the years?
Alemseged Abdissa: AHRI through its research over the years has truly been honored to be apart of discoveries that have went on to improve the health of many.
For instance, breakthroughs with regards to Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have been greatly achieved. To simplify this medical term, MDR-TB, is a type of TB that is resistant to ‘rifampicin and isoniazid’ which are crucial for the treatment of this respiratory disease. For patients with MDR-TB, this means longer treatments, more expenses with regards to therapy and intolerable suffering. In a bid to combat this, a clinical trial was conducted at AHRI in collaboration with global and local stakeholders which went on to successfully reduce the duration of treatment of MDR-TB from the long 24 months to only 9 months. This enabled to unburden many patients who have long-suffered this aching disease. Moreover, through this evidence to policy breakthrough, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health have revised the guideline of MDR-TB treatment.
More recently, our research institute in conjunction with The Netherlands’ Radboud University Medical Center noted and revealed the spread of the malaria vector, ‘Anopheles Stephensi’ in 13 towns and cities of Ethiopia. This mosquito species only appeared in Africa a few years ago and having now invaded the cities and town could lead to potential outbreaks. Historically, malaria had been considered to be a disease confined to rural locations but now ongoing urbanization and immigration to urban areas has consequently enhanced the spread of the vectors. For us, discovering this was instrumental since it helps in placing prevention and control mechanisms by relevant health institutions which in turns safeguards the health of our citizens.
Soon after the introduction of COVID-19, AHRI has been putting efforts to sequence and analyze samples from COVID-19 patients. With due support from our partners, we managed to secure resources through which we successfully performed the first ‘SARS-CoV-2’ whole genome sequencing and analysis. This is a great milestone not only for AHRI, but also our country. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and analysis when taken from a wide scope of samples around the country, will allow in tracking and monitoring potential new and emerging strains of COVID-19 variants which will be critical in understanding the impact, transmissibility, disease severity and reinfection of the novel virus.
This analysis was done with a limited sample size at our institute which in turn can be replicated in large scale. We are equally capable of rising to the occasion if we are called upon to take samples across the country since our capable staff at AHRI have developed skills for; sample processing, preparing libraries, sequencing and performing metagenomics analysis. When thorough analysis is administered, it will help our country to recover faster from the pandemic in conjunction with the diagnostics and vaccines that are available.
Capital: The institute has recently been on the scientific fore front in tackling COVID-19 by developing the first Local COVID-19 antibody test kit. Elaborate for us this diagnostic procedure and highlight its difference from other COVID-19 testing.
Alemseged Abdissa: In order to better understand why we developed this local COVID-19 antibody test kit, I believe a situational background must be highlighted so as to understand the need for such a kit.
From the situational background we find that enhancing the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is regarded as one of the strategies for controlling COVID-19. In order to do this, different molecular and serology-based tests have been invented and introduced in to the health care systems. A molecular method, qRT-PCR, has been the gold standard diagnostic approach as it detects the infecting virus itself. On the other hand, serology-based tests measure antibodies (IgM/IgG) from blood that are produced as a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection, so it is a proxy marker for SARS-CoV-2 infection (the virus that causes COVID-19). Thus, serology-based diagnostics (either in an ELISA or lateral flow assay (LFA) platform) have been suggested to be used for different purposes including contact tracing, estimating exposure to the virus among high-risk groups/the general population and used as a key index for evaluating the effectiveness of a vaccine. In resource limited countries, such data generated from serology-based tests provide valuable information regarding the spread of the disease in the general population, especially among health care workers and high-risk groups. More importantly, policymakers can use this information to prioritize control measures to mobilize limited resources to break the spread of the pandemic and avoid second and third waves or other waves to cumulatively come in future. .
Moreover, the demand and supply of vaccines are not equal which means that countries need to prioritize who to vaccinate first. Thus, COVID-19 antibody tests will help to know who have already been exposed to natural infection and need to be less prioritized than those who have not been exposed at all. Therefore, more straightforward, cheaper, faster and high throughput COVID-19 antibody test platforms are vital. One of these platforms is ELISA, a platform that uses multiple matrices or specimens, including patient serum, dried blood spot (DBS) and saliva.
AHRI, in collaboration with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), has successfully developed an ELISA-based COVID-19 antibody testing technology, which is affordable and easily scalable to meet growing demands. Our assay utilizes the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein that specifically binds to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in various sample types, including patient convalescent sera and saliva and WHO control panels were used as standard controls. Our results were compared with other in house and commercial serology-based test and proved to be very comparable. The collaborative study resulted in developing a quantitative indirect SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Antibody Test ELISA (named SCAT) that detects IgG antibodies produced against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sensitivity and specificity of SCAT were compared to commercially available COVID-19 antibody detection kits (Hangzhou Realy Tech Co., LTD and Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co., LTD).
The sensitivity of SCAT in convalescent sera from confirmed COVID-19 patients with 2 weeks post-onset of symptoms, for example, was 100% (as compared to 90% for Realy Tech and 100% for Wantai). The specificity of SCAT in pre-COVID pandemic sera was 97.5% (as compared to 92.5% for Realy Tech and 100% Beijing Wantai).
SCAT’s performance was evaluated in three different types of specimens (convalescent serum/plasma, saliva, and dried blood spot) from PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, and found a comparable sensitivity, indicating that the three specimens can be used alternatively. This of course is impressive result which we hope to introduce and use in Ethiopia with regards to tackling the surge of the pandemic.
Capital: How commercially viable is this COVID-19 antibody testing technology?
Alemseged Abdissa: When you place it in to perspective in comparison to the ones available across the globe, it is definitely commercially viable whilst still having comparable results. The cost is of course lower because majority of the products required are replicated within our country. This SCAT developed by AHRI -OHSU is a powerful serology COVID-19 test that is not only comparable with the other commercially available test kits, but also much more affordable and can be utilized to estimate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in different settings for example; health care facilities, schools and communities. Additionally, SCAT works equally well in easy-to collect and cost-effective samples such as Dried Blood Spot (DBS) and saliva, which makes our assay more suitable for conducting ‘serosurvey’ that involves mass screening in resource limited countries.
The commercial viability is almost ten times as cheaper when accounting for expense per sample. Using the commercially available LFA-based Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) will set you back at least 20 USD per sample whereas the one we have developed in partnership with OHSU costs under 3 USD per sample.
Furthermore, when we analyse economic viability, we have to also look at sustainability. The assay that has been developed by a team of Ethiopian scientists from AHRI & OHSU is considerate of this. The developed assay facilitates technology transfer, capacity development in local production and thus enhances sustainable while still allowing for specificity and sensitivity comparable to commercially available tests.
Capital: How do you plan to upscale this technology for large scale use and commercialization?
Alemseged Abdissa: It is evident that in upscaling any product engagements with the relevant stakeholders are important. As an institute we acknowledge this. We are engaged with the Ministry of Health and stakeholders in order to use this assay for epidemiological studies and support local production of the test. The assay can also be commercialized to other African countries which can then after generate revenue. Therefore, to investors and donors alike, who are interested in bettering health, this is a huge opportunity to come and engage with us. The doors of AHRI are always open for discussion.
CEPI, AU join forces to boost African vaccine R&D and manufacturing
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the African Union Commission have announced the signing of an memorandum of understanding, which aims to strengthen ties between the organisations and the Africa CDC a specialised institution of the African Union responsible for the prevention and control of diseases in Africa to enhance vaccine R&D and manufacturing in Africa.
This collaboration forms a major part of CEPI’s longer term epidemic and pandemic strategy, announced in March, 2021. As part of this strategy, CEPI aims to work with low-income and middle-income countries to develop the infrastructure and expertise to undertake the epidemiological and clinical studies needed to advance vaccine development, support technology transfer, and develop national and regional manufacturing capacity that will enable these countries to take full ownership of their national health security.
The swing of paid up capital over the years
In less than three decade’s time, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has introduced the fourth minimum paid-up capital for the establishment of banks. Four banks have already met a new paid up capital requirement of five billion birr. Banks that are under formation are also asked to finalize their process in the coming six months to get a license.
When the banking business was opened for the private players under the proclamation for ‘providing the licensing and supervision of banking business’ that was issued on January 31, 1994 and that was followed by the directive that came in to force on May 15, 1994, there were no set minimum paid up capital.
While after the formation of Awash Bank, which started operation early 1995, NBE started imposing specific amounts of minimum capital for the establishment of banks. On its first directive, the requirement was 10 million birr minimum paid up capital and the amount was implemented until June 1999 with 7.5 fold increase. Besides Awash five more private banks, Dashen, Abyssinia, Wegagen, Hibret and Nib banks entered the banking business up until 1999.
Since 1999, the banking business has got more than ten banks, despite the revised directive making the startup capital to 75 million birr which was to be fully paid. The late entrants in the form of Debub Global and Enat banks that opened doors in 2012 and 2013 respectively experienced rise in the paid up capital threshold since as of Septem
ber 2011 NBE raised the minimum paid up capital by almost 6.7 folds to half a billion birr to be fulfilled by June 2016.
However, since then the market did not witness any new banks until recently. The aspiration of forming new banks resurfaced when the political reform was introduced bringing with it massive changes in the economy in general and in the banking industry in particular, for example like opening the sector for interest free banking and to the diaspora.
Early this week after a decade of the third revision of minimum capital and within 27 years for the fourth time, NBE has set five billion birr with tenfold increment from the preceding minimum amount.
Meanwhile, currently over 18 are under formation or on last stage to commence the business.
So far two interest free banks, Zamzam and Hijra and Goh Betoch banks have secured their license from NBE to start their business, while Ahadu and Amhara are on the process to get the green light.
Similarly, dozen other new coming banks in different forms are mobilizing shares. While experts predict that some of the under the process of share subscription may halt their activity or come with cooperation similar to other under formation banks. They reminded that before the third amendment in 2011, several organizers where under process to commence share mobilization to form banks but when the capital increased to 500 million birr most of them suspended their activity.
The revised NBE directive, that is, the ‘minimum capital requirement for banks directive no. SBB/78/2021’that entered into force as of April 12, stated that existing banks shall raise their paid up capital to five billion birr in five years’ time until June 30, 2026. It ordered banks to come up with an action plan for capital increase within 30 days.
While the under formation banks are required to comply with the new requirement within seven years after commencement of banking operation.
It added that banks in the process of share subscription, which succeeds to collect 500 million birr from founding shareholders, are asked to hold subscribers meeting and submit final application to the national bank within a maximum of six months after the effective date of the directive and will be permitted to get banking business license within a minimum of 500 million birr paid up capital. “However, such bank shall be required to comply with the five billion birr capital within seven years after they started operation.”
So far as per the NBE first quarter bulletin that reviewed the economy until September 30, 2020; Awash, Dashen, and Nib banks have already surpass the minimum paid up capital requirement set by NBE this week.
The NBE information indicated that as of September 30, Awash Bank’s paid up capital was 8.38 billion birr that was then followed by Dashen and Nib with 5.8 billion birr and 5.23 billion birr respectively.
The newly formed bank Amhara, which is yet to get a license from NBE, has a paid up capital of 6 billion birr placing it in second place after Awash on the paid up capital amount. Meanwhile, majority of the established banks including Awash and Dashen have already approved the capital increment earlier before the latest directive.
