Rwanda Medical Supply (RMS) Ltd received 11 distribution trucks, including two refrigerated and nine room temperature, in a boost to the country’s medical distribution chain aimed at strengthening nationwide healthcare access. The new fleet handed over on February 23, 2026 in Kigali, is expected to improve the transportation of essential medicines, and other health commodities, ensuring they reach service delivery points safely and on time, according to RMS. Stakeholders say that the investment is expected to improve last-mile distribution, particularly in remote and underserved districts, especially Gisagara, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, and Karongi, while reducing stock-outs and safeguarding temperature-sensitive products through a reinforced cold-chain system. This initiative is funded by the European Union through the Project, titled ‘Logistics Medical Supply (LOMESU) for Access to Quality Health Products in Rwanda,” with a total budget of EUR 5 million over four years. It is meant to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of Rwanda’s national health supply chain. It also supports the broader Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technology Products in Africa (MAV+) Programme and the Global Gateway – Health Package launched at the 2022 EU–AU Summit, under the EU’s International Partnerships (INTPA) and the Regional Team Europe Initiative (TEI). ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda’s medical store, health commodity access and supply chain Acknowledging with appreciation the support of the EU, RMS Ltd stated that the additional 11 new distribution trucks will enhance medical product availability, improve access, safeguard the integrity and quality of the products throughout distribution and ultimately boost overall customer satisfaction. “This particular project is unique because we designed it together with the EU and is rightly a response to the demand that we have,” said Dr Loko Abraham, Chief Executive Officer of RMS. “Products are also unique because they address systems within the supply chain. Vehicles are beyond transportations. They create efficiency, access, and will collectively work on the information system because it’s a broadline for the health supply chain. If information is not there, you cannot make the right decision and can’t deliver commodities,” he explained. “This is an international investment in the supply chain information system which uplift all pillars of the health supply chain,” he added. Globally, between 25 and 30 per cent of cold chain commodities are wasted because of cold-chain failures, with the risk being higher in Africa. The ecosystem enablers noted that the programme also aligns with the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP V) 2024 to 2029. It will focus on creating an ecosystem for manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines, and health technologies, ensuring that quality health products are available, affordable, and accessible for all. Additionally, it aligns with Rwanda’s broader Vision 2050 goals by attracting investors in pharmaceutical industries both in distribution and manufacturing which will contribute to lowering the cost of drugs in the country and further exporting to other countries particular in building local manufacturing capacity, streamline regulatory processes, and enhance workforce development are expected to yield significant benefits. ALSO READ: Rwanda gets largest medical diagnostic equipment delivery under new strategy The Ambassador of EU in Rwanda Belén Calvo Uyarra said that the partnership with the government of Rwanda is as win-win as supporting NST2 goals and the country's ambition to become regional medical tourism. “EU has been working alongside Rwanda in access to vaccines, medicines manufacturing, and after Covid-19, the country proved high-level of ambitions to attract investment that was necessary to manufacture medicines for Rwanda and for the continent. We’re very proudly stepping in to support that ecosystem,” she said. “The fact that the system is able to deliver health commodities to every health facility in the rural areas, it is important as investors that would like to come and engage here in Rwanda to continue manufacturing medicines and vaccines. We’re proud to be working in that ecosystem since Rwanda has high-level ambitions and it’s obviously delivering for every Rwandans,” she added.
