Kigali, Rwanda – In an effort to increase access to cutting-edge medical treatments and fortify Africa’s pharmaceutical industry, the African Development Fund has authorized a $11.96 million grant to support the founding of the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation in Kigali, Rwanda.
An $11.96 million investment from the African Development Fund will hasten the establishment of the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation, which will have its main office in Kigali, Rwanda. This significant funding, along with a $1.93 million grant from the Rwandan government, is intended to help the Regional Pharmaceutical Sector Support Project get off the ground in Rwanda.
With great hope for the project’s future, Aissa Touré Sarr, head of the African Development Bank’s Rwanda country office, said, “The project should produce considerable benefits (outputs and outcomes) throughout Africa.” The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation’s cutting-edge scientific studies and technical advancements should enhance health care results by granting access to cutting-edge medications and treatments, combating common illnesses, and bolstering the general health resiliency of the continent.
The African Development Fund’s funding, according to africabriefing.com, is expected to strengthen the regulatory framework of the pharmaceutical business throughout Africa and provide access to cutting-edge pharmaceutical innovations.
The African Development Bank established the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation in June 2022, and in December 2023, the Rwandan government signed a host country agreement with the foundation. Under the guise of an open intermediary, the foundation seeks to resolve the barriers that African nations encounter in obtaining medical and vaccine manufacturing technologies by advocating for and negotiating technology transfer with global South nations and pharmaceutical corporations.
Building African pharmaceuticals’ capabilities will be the foundation’s top priority, encouraging homegrown manufacturing and scientific development. In order to improve the pharmaceutical environment across the continent, it will also foster pharmaceutical and vaccine innovation and bolster human and professional competencies in the industry.
The award from the African Development Fund will make it easier to buy office supplies and allow the Foundation which the Rwandan government has recognized as an international organization—to hire professionals and specialized technical companies. A variety of pharmaceutical and health services, including contractual, financial, human resource, and administrative systems, will be supported by these resources.
The project will also include activities to improve the quality and safety of pharmaceutical goods, training in good manufacturing techniques, consulting services, and information distribution. It will be consistent with regional initiatives to harmonize regulations, such as the East African Community’s mutual recognition scheme.
In order to support pharmaceutical development in Africa, the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation will work closely with a range of stakeholders, including the African Union Medicines Agency, Africa CDC, European Union, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, Medicines Patent Pool, and charitable organizations.
Leading the way in cross-continental cooperation between the public and commercial sectors, the foundation has connections with organizations such as the European Investment Bank and is heavily supported by Germany.
