The "BioNTainer" is a rather bland looking modular structure, but scientists here say two of these beige, two-storey containers could churn out up to 50 million doses of vaccine a year.

BioNTech intends to provide the containers, raw materials and know-how at no cost.

In return the host country would provide the land and, ensure that local infrastructure such as water and electricity is sufficient and reliable, and find people to work in the container.

So-called "filling and finishing" of the product would also happen in Africa.

The vaccines produced would be for use in the country where it was made or exported to other members of the African Union at a not-for-profit price.

"It's not cheap, we're talking millions" says BioNTech's Chief Operating Officer Sierk Poetting. "We're financing this at our own risk. We've developed this at our own risk. It's our goal to bring this to Africa."