(emphasis mine)

Ivermectin began to be distributed in 1988, with operations being organized through the independent Mectizan Donation Program (MDP) established and funded by Merck. Thereafter, OCP control operations changed from exclusive vector control to larviciding combined with ivermectin treatment or, in some areas, to ivermectin treatment alone. Ivermectin swiftly became the drug of choice for the treatment of Onchocerciasis due to its unique and potent microfilaricidal effects, the absence of severe side effects and its excellent safety. It is now the sole tool being used in disease elimination campaigns in the 16 other African countries where the disease exists, orchestrated by the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC), which commenced operations in 1996. A single annual dose of 150 µg/kg of ivermectin, given orally, can reduce the level of skin microfilariae to zero and, by interfering with worm embryogenesis, can delay the build-up of new microfilariae for a period of up to two years. OCP was closed in December 2002 after virtually stopping disease transmission in all target nations except Sierra Leone where operations were hampered by civil war.

Weren't sub-saharan african nations some of the first to get donations of the vaccines as well? I feel like they were... Not trying to jump to conclusions here, but I wonder if the vaccine makers weren't making a move to prevent people from pointing out that african nations seemed to be handling Covid just fine... No doubt there are stockpiles of Iver still around and people tend to get desperate when they're frightened, so it wouldn't be a huge leap to guess that people would reach for the 'wonder drug' that killed the parasites a decade ago...