DocumentOngoingMedia statement

Cape Bio Manufacture Covid 19 Radio Test Kits Locally

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)Ref: https://www.csir.co.za/cape-bio-manufacture-covid-19-radio-test-kits-locally

Official source

Source domain: csir.co.za

Collected on 21 September 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This is a CSIR media statement announcing that SAHPRA authorised CapeBio to manufacture rapid COVID-19 PCR test kits locally. It says the kits were co-developed by CapeBio and the CSIR and are intended to improve testing access in South Africa and across Africa. The statement also describes a government-led initiative to respond to local and continental demand for diagnostic tools.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

locally manufactured diagnostic test kitsOngoing

rapid COVID19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits

Rapid COVID-19 PCR test kits are being manufactured locally by CapeBio after regulatory authorisation, to improve access for South Africa and the rest of the African continent.

Who it is for: South Africa and the rest of the African continent

Show the line this came from

The COVID-19 test kits, co-developed by CapeBio and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will help to reduce South Africa's reliance on imports, making it easier for the country and the rest of the continent to gain speedy access to test kits.

Facts

Reference

https://www.csir.co.za/cape-bio-manufacture-covid-19-radio-test-kits-locally

Key Takeaways

SAHPRA authorised CapeBio to manufacture rapid COVID19 PCR test kits
The kits were co-developed by CapeBio and the CSIR
The kits are intended to reduce South Africa's reliance on imports
The initiative responds to local and continental demand for testing
Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Dr Blade Nzimande
South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)
CapeBio
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)