Last week, the European Union (EU) through Team Europe announced an €95 million (approximatelyRwf160bn) funding commitment to Rwanda to enable the country to scale its vaccine manufacturing efforts. The funding package is a commitment from two EU institutions – the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission (EC), and was committed to BioNTech, the German multinational biotechnology firm. The funding consists of a €35 million Commission grant, and the possibility to take out a loan of up to €60 million from the EIB, they indicated in a statement they issued on October 13. BioNTech is currently advancing a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigaliat the Special Economic. Its facility is designed to produce mRNA vaccines for diseases that affect Africa most – such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and mpox – if successfully developed and approved. ALSO READ: BioNTech's vaccine plant in Rwanda gets over Rwf180bn boost “This manufacturing site is about empowering Africa with the tools and expertise to tackle health challenges independently,” said the EIB Vice-President responsible for health, Karl Nehammer. “By working with BioNTech and the European Commission, we’re supporting a future where vaccines are produced in Africa, for Africa. This partnership is a major step forward for health, jobs, and innovation across the continent.” Once operational, the facility is expected to produce vaccines for widespread use and support clinical development by manufacturing clinical trial materials for local partners. This aims to build skills, create jobs, and strengthen Rwanda’s role as a hub for medical innovation. “We recognize that the challenges in global health are too vast for any single entity to solve alone. BioNTech is dedicated to working across the entire development chain, partnering with local communities, researchers, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to make a meaningful impact,” said Sierk Poetting, Chief Operating Officer of BioNTech. He stated that the support by the European Commission, European Investment Bank and CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) are an important contribution to the joint efforts of advancing and strengthening the implementation of a local mRNA vaccine ecosystem – covering the spectrum from clinical trials to commercial production. This, along with our efforts to develop mRNA vaccines against diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, and mpox is aimed at bringing lasting health benefits to millions of people, “ Poetting observed. The project aligns with the African Union’s goal for the continent to produce 60% of its vaccines by 2040. Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships at European Commission said global health is a key priority of the Global Gateway strategy. “The agreement with BioNTech to support the advancement of its state-of-the-art mRNA manufacturing facility in Rwanda will boost expertise across the region and build increased independence from entities outside of Africa,” he remarked. ALSO READ: Rwanda unveils BioNTech’s first vaccine manufacturing plant in Africa CEPI’s support, including a grant of up to €130 million announced in 2024, helps ensure that vaccines produced at the Kigali site will be accessible and affordable for those who need them most. Dr Amadou Sall, Executive Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at CEPI, said that establishing the pioneering Rwanda facility as the first mRNA vaccine manufacturing site in the region following the globally recognised Good Manufacturing Practice, will boost regional vaccine capacity to help more rapidly respond to public health threats, including new outbreaks that strike locally. “The project will make an important contribution to Africa CDC’s goal for 60% of the vaccines needed by the continent to be produced on the continent by 2040, strengthening regional health security and global pandemic preparedness.”
