BioNTech to begin mRNA vaccine manufacturing in Rwanda by 2025

Kigali, Rwanda

German biotechnology company BioNTech has stated their intentions to begin production at their mRNA vaccine factory in Rwanda by 2025, which will mark the first foreign mRNA vaccine manufacturing site on the continent of Africa.

These modular elements were delivered to a Kigali construction site in March, and subsequently assembled into so-called ‘BioNTainers’. Plans for developing and enabling productions in African countries began in 2022. The company has since committed a total of US$150 million to fully fund the facility. 

BioNTech co-Founder and CEO Ugur Sahin stated: “Africa will have one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the world... These BioNTainers will be able to manufacturing any kind of mRNA vaccines.” 

Over the next few years, BioNTech hopes that the initial vaccine factory will join a wider supply network across several African countries, such as Senegal and South Africa. This initiative to encourage a robust healthcare network across Africa comes as criticism continues regarding delayed Western-made COVID-19 vaccine doses to the continent. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, commented in his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the manufacturing factory: “The African Union came together to make a firm commitment that we would not allow ourselves to be in that position again.” 

Expansion of vaccine manufacturing in African nations comes as companies like BioNTech push to establish a global reach without relying on other Western nations. Moderna announced earlier in the year plans to establish an mRNA manufacturing facility in Kenya.  

Source: BioNTech aims to start mRNA vaccine output in Rwanda in 2025 [Accessed December 20, 2023] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/biontech-aims-start-mrna-vaccine-output-rwanda-2025-2023-12-18/