Rwanda and EU forge Rwf 60bn Pact to Elevate Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

In a significant boost to Rwanda’s healthcare sector, the European Union (EU) and Rwanda have signed a landmark investment of €40 million (approximately Rwf60 billion aimed at revolutionizing the country’s pharmaceutical industry.

One of the aims of this two-day East Africa Pharma and Biotech Conference that took place in Convention Center from 17th -18th September, is to create a platform and network to discuss business opportunities in Rwanda and the EAC region.

This agreement, forged between Rwandan officials and EU representatives, is set to enhance the production capabilities and accessibility of essential medicines within the nation.

This partnership is expected to not only strengthen the supply chain for medicines in Rwanda but also create numerous job opportunities for skilled workers in the region, and make Rwanda a hub for East Africa.

The State Minister of Health, Yvan Butera, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “The Government of Rwanda remains committed to building a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub to facilitate access to medical products within Rwanda and across Africa. Today’s signing ceremony signals that developing local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and addressing global health imbalances continues to be a priority for the European Union as well”.

In response to the agreement, the EU Ambassador to Rwanda, Belén Calvo Uyarra, remarked, “Today’s signature marks a momentous occasion for the partnership between Team Europe and Rwanda. Guided by the EU’s global gateway strategy, together with member states France, Sweden, Germany, and Belgium, 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.”

The European Union’s Ambassador to Rwanda highlighted that the new initiative aims to encompass four key projects, specifically focusing on Pharmaceutical research and development, skills enhancement which includes both higher education and vocational training (TVET), entrepreneurship, and the improvement of supply chain management and regulatory frameworks.

She noted that the funding aligns with the current efforts of the EU and its member states as part of the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+) which also includes Rwanda.

As Rwanda embarks on this transformative journey, the focus will shift towards building capacity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering research and development. With the backing of the EU, the future looks promising for Rwanda’s pharmaceutical landscape and EAC’s.

The East Africa Pharma & Biotech Conference is an excellent platform for discussing advancements in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors within the region. It brings together stakeholders from various backgrounds, including government representatives, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and healthcare professionals.