The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission (EC) are joining forces with BioNTech to push forward a mRNA vaccine facility in Kigali, Rwanda. BioNTech has lined up a blended financing package of up to €95 million for the project, including a €35 million grant from the European Commission and the option to take a loan of up to €60 million from the EIB. When up and running, the facility is expected to make messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for major diseases in Africa, such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and mpox, once they are successfully developed and approved.
The mRNA vaccine facility will rely on BioNTech’s “BioNTainers,” modular units that can be set up quickly and adjusted to produce different mRNA vaccines. Built to be flexible and scalable, it meets health challenges while helping expand the local vaccine network. If successful, the Kigali site could become the continent’s first commercial mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility.
“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.”
The facility is expected to not only produce vaccines for widespread use but also manufacture clinical trial materials for local partners, supporting skills development and job creation while strengthening Rwanda’s position as a hub for medical innovation. “We recognize that the challenges in global health are too vast for any single entity to solve alone. BioNTech is dedicated to working across the entire development chain, partnering with local communities, researchers, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to make a meaningful impact. The support by the European Commission, European Investment Bank and CEPI are an important contribution to the joint efforts of advancing and strengthening the implementation of a local mRNA vaccine ecosystem – covering the spectrum from clinical trials to commercial production,” said Sierk Poetting, Chief Operating Officer of BioNTech.
The initiative reflects close collaboration between BioNTech, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and Team Europe partners, EC and EIB. It aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and supports the African Union’s goal of producing 60% of the continent’s vaccines domestically by 2040. Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships, said: “Global health is a key priority of the Global Gateway strategy, and the EU has already invested more than €1.9 billion in local vaccine and medicine manufacturing and affordable access in Africa. The agreement with BioNTech to support the advancement of its state-of-the-art mRNA manufacturing facility in Rwanda will boost expertise across the region and build increased independence from entities outside of Africa.”
CEPI’s backing, including a grant of up to €130 million announced in 2024, is intended to ensure that vaccines produced at the Kigali site remain accessible and affordable. Dr Amadou Sall, Executive Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at CEPI, added: “Establishing the pioneering Rwanda facility as the first mRNA vaccine manufacturing site in the region following the globally recognised Goods Manufacturing Practice will boost regional vaccine capacity to help more rapidly respond to public health threats, including new outbreaks that strike locally. The project will make an important contribution to Africa CDC’s goal for 60% of the vaccines needed by the continent to be produced on the continent by 2040, strengthening regional health security and global pandemic preparedness.”
