EIB, EU, and BioNTech Partner to Build Africa’s First mRNA Vaccine Facility in Rwanda

In a landmark step toward strengthening Africa’s health security and vaccine self-sufficiency, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission (EC) have joined forces with BioNTech to advance the development of a state-of-the-art mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigali, Rwanda. The facility will be the first of its kind on the African continent, marking a milestone in the global effort to decentralize vaccine production and empower Africa to address its own health challenges.

The collaboration is backed by up to €95 million in blended financing, comprising a €35 million grant from the European Commission and an EIB loan facility of up to €60 million. The investment will support BioNTech’s construction of an advanced, scalable manufacturing site capable of producing vaccines targeting diseases of major concern in Africa, including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and mpox, pending successful development and regulatory approval.

Building Vaccine Independence: “For Africa, by Africa”

The new Rwandan facility will be equipped with BioNTech’s cutting-edge BioNTainers — modular, mobile production units that can be rapidly deployed, installed, and adapted to manufacture different mRNA vaccines. This plug-and-play model allows for fast response to health crises, efficient adaptation to new pathogens, and sustainable, long-term vaccine production tailored to African health priorities.

The project represents a major leap toward the African Union’s goal of producing 60% of vaccines locally by 2040, reducing reliance on imports and addressing the inequities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This manufacturing site is about empowering Africa with the tools and expertise to tackle health challenges independently,” said Karl Nehammer, EIB Vice-President responsible for health. “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.”

A Milestone for Innovation and Public Health

Once operational, the Kigali facility is expected to produce vaccines for public use and supply clinical trial materials for research institutions and health agencies in Africa. The facility will play a dual role—supporting commercial production and clinical development—helping build a regional ecosystem of biotechnology expertise and local talent.

The project will also generate high-skilled jobs in biotechnology, engineering, and logistics, while fostering partnerships with local research institutes, universities, and start-ups. Rwanda is already emerging as a continental hub for innovation and biomedical research, and this facility will further anchor its role in Africa’s health transformation agenda.

“We recognize that global health challenges are too vast for any one entity to solve alone,” said Sierk Poetting, Chief Operating Officer of BioNTech. “Our goal is to work with local communities, governments, and researchers to strengthen the entire vaccine development chain—from clinical trials to production. With the support of the European Commission, EIB, and CEPI, we are helping build a sustainable mRNA ecosystem in Africa.”

Global Partnerships Driving Regional Resilience

The BioNTech project is the result of a collaborative effort between Team Europe partners — the European Commission, EIB, and BioNTech — working alongside the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

The initiative forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to promote sustainable investment in global health, energy, and digital infrastructure. The EC has already committed more than €1.9 billion toward local vaccine manufacturing and equitable access across Africa.

“Global health is a key priority under Global Gateway,” said Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships. “Our agreement with BioNTech to support the advancement of its mRNA manufacturing facility in Rwanda will not only strengthen regional expertise but also increase Africa’s independence in vaccine production and pandemic preparedness.”

CEPI’s Role in Pandemic Preparedness

CEPI has also played a pivotal role in enabling the Kigali project. In 2024, it committed up to €130 million in grant funding to ensure that the vaccines developed and produced at the facility will be affordable and accessible to populations that need them most.

“Establishing Rwanda’s mRNA manufacturing site in line with global Good Manufacturing Practices will expand regional vaccine capacity and enhance Africa’s readiness to respond to public health threats,” said Dr. Amadou Sall, CEPI’s Executive Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain. “This initiative contributes directly to the Africa CDC’s target for 60% of the continent’s vaccines to be locally produced by 2040.”

CEPI’s partnership ensures that vaccine equity remains at the forefront of the initiative, promoting fair access across Africa while building regional scientific and manufacturing capabilities.

Catalyzing Africa’s Biotechnology Future

The Kigali facility represents a transformative milestone in Africa’s biotechnology journey. It aligns with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which emphasizes technology-driven growth and human capital development. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to serve as a regional hub for knowledge transfer, research collaboration, and workforce training in advanced vaccine manufacturing.

The modular design of BioNTainers also allows future expansion into other countries, creating a network of interconnected production sites that can scale up quickly during health emergencies.

By localizing vaccine production, the facility will help overcome the supply chain disruptions and inequitable access that characterized the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also exemplifies how international cooperation can translate into tangible, locally owned health infrastructure.

Toward a Health-Secure and Self-Reliant Africa

For the EIB, this partnership demonstrates its growing role as Europe’s development finance arm in global health. It builds on the Bank’s commitment to invest in climate resilience, public health, and innovation—priorities that are increasingly intertwined.

For the European Commission, the project embodies the EU-Africa partnership in action, advancing a shared vision of health sovereignty and sustainable development. For BioNTech, it represents the next phase of its mission to apply mRNA technology beyond COVID-19, tackling some of Africa’s most persistent infectious diseases.

“Together, we are redefining what equitable access to healthcare looks like,” said Nehammer. “This is not charity—it’s investment in Africa’s future, built on partnership, science, and shared responsibility.”

As construction moves forward, the Kigali mRNA facility stands as a symbol of hope, innovation, and cooperation—a blueprint for how global partnerships can drive regional transformation and resilience against future pandemics.