China is moving faster to distribute vaccines in Africa and the Middle East than competitors in Europe and Asia, thanks to its early start in building out a sophisticated logistics network with hubs in both Addis Ababa and Dubai, according to a spokesman for Ethiopian Airlines.

“The other manufacturers like Pfizer from the U.S., from Europe, from Canada and different (vaccine) manufacturers are still waiting to arrange their logistics requirements… but so far we already have some commitments to transport from China to different (African) countries,” said the unnamed spokesman for the airline in an interview with South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC News.