The head of the World Trade Organisation says Africa is working with the European Union and other partners to create regional hubs to produce vaccines.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said facilities would be established in South Africa, Senegal and Rwanda. Nigeria is also being considered.

She said the over-centralisation of vaccine production was incompatible with equitable access, especially during a health crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "delighted" by the news, saying the South Africa hub was going to be the first of many, news agency AFP reports.

Africa is facing a major shortage of coronavirus jabs. The United Nations has urged countries that can to donate surplus supplies to the continent.