EU boosts Rwanda’s vaccine production and economic inclusion by €95 million
The European Union (EU) has committed a new €95 million (more than Rwf 160 billion) investment to help Rwanda’s efforts to increase vaccine manufacturing, economic inclusion, and medical innovation.
After meeting with President Paul Kagame in Brussels, Belgium, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the money on Thursday, October 9. Kagame is attending the Global Gateway Forum, where the announcement was made on the sidelines.
Investments in health and the economic integration of refugees are also part of the package. In the presence of BioNTech CEO Uğur Şahin and European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño, von der Leyen and President Kagame signed the deal.
The EU said the assistance will help Rwanda realize its goal of becoming a regional center for medical innovation and vaccine production.
Von der Leyen also praised the U.S. President Donald Trump-backed deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a post on X, stating that the EU is prepared to help the peace process “because it will pave the way for regional integration and investment.”
In 2023, BioNTech opened its first African manufacturing facility in Kigali, marking the start of Rwanda’s vaccine production campaign. With almost €93 million already invested in the project to support biotech start-ups, boost domestic research and development, and expand the nation’s pool of scientific and technical talent, the EU has been a crucial partner in the process.
