In a significant step towards bolstering Rwanda’s pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, the European Union (EU) reaffirmed its support to the country’s vision of becoming a regional hub for vaccine and medicine production with the signature of a €40 million agreement (Rwf60 billion) on September 17.

EU Ambassador to Rwanda Belén Calvo Uyarra emphasised the union’s ongoing support in building the country’s healthcare ecosystem, with a focus on education, research, and value chain strengthening, and vaccine manufacturing.

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The financing package was initially announced by EU President Ursula von der Leyen in December 2023.

"What you can see today is a key milestone in a journey to the Rwandan hub of pharmaceutical and biomedicine in the country," Uyarra told The New Times.

The EU support covers various areas, from bolstering regulatory capacities to enhancing higher education programmes.

"We’ve supported the Rwandan FDA in the regulatory space needed to produce vaccines, and now we’re expanding our support to include master&039;s and PhD programs in bioscience and biotechnology,” she explained.

Universities like Karolinska University in Sweden will partner with the University of Rwanda to drive this initiative, The New Times has learnt.

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In addition to academic programs, vocational training is a key focus, with efforts directed at supporting the Rwanda Polytechnic and the TVET Board.

These programmes will train professionals for the pharmaceutical sector, ensuring the country is well-equipped to handle the processes involved in vaccine production.

"This support not only strengthens Rwanda's health and education ecosystems but also ensures that the value chain of vaccine production from manufacturing to distribution is well-maintained," the Ambassador said.

The EU's investment is seen as a crucial step in advancing Rwanda’s pharmaceutical industry and contributing to Africa’s self-reliance in vaccine and medicine production.