The European Union (EU) has announced €40 million ($44.4 million) in new funding to support the growth of Rwanda’s pharmaceutical industry. The announcement was made at the East Africa Pharma and Biotech conference, held in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, and marks a significant step toward advancing local manufacturing and improving access to affordable, high-quality healthcare products.
The funding will support several EU-backed projects designed to enhance pharmaceutical research and development, strengthen supply chains, improve regulatory frameworks, and boost skills and entrepreneurship within Rwanda’s pharmaceutical sector. These initiatives align with Rwanda's goal of becoming a regional hub for pharmaceutical and biotechnology production.
EU Ambassador to Rwanda, Belen Calvo Uyarra, underscored the strategic value of the funding, stating, “These projects will support Rwanda in its vision of becoming a regional hub for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and to establish domestic pharmaceutical and vaccine production.”
This initiative is part of the broader Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+), which also includes Rwanda. The projects build on commitments made by EU President Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in December 2023.
Yvan Butera, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Health, emphasized the country’s commitment to strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing to ensure better access to essential medical products within Rwanda and across Africa. “The funding signals that developing local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and addressing global health imbalances remains a priority,” Butera stated.
The EU-funded projects will be implemented in close collaboration with the Rwandan government and EU member state agencies. The goal is to bolster Rwanda’s domestic pharmaceutical industry while promoting equitable access to healthcare across the region.
Article by RB Correspodent
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