00:00Rwanda's capital, Kigali, is fast becoming a leading hub for vaccine manufacturing in Africa,
00:10marking a major step towards reducing the continent's dependence on imported vaccines.
00:16Currently, Africa imports about 99% of its vaccines and over 90% of its medicines.
00:23The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this vulnerability, but Rwanda's strong health system and community-based response positioned the country to take the lead in driving change.
00:37In 2025, BioNTech's new mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigali is expected to begin production with a capacity of up to 50 million doses annually.
00:51The project will enable local production of vaccines for diseases that disproportionately affect Africa.
00:59To support this, the European Union has provided 95 million euros in funding to strengthen Rwanda's biotech and healthcare infrastructure.
01:09The goal is to make Kigali a regional center for vaccine research, production, and innovation.
01:17Rwanda's model emphasizes health equity and accessibility, ensuring that vaccines produced locally reach citizens quickly through extensive community health network.
01:31Experts say this initiative could reshape Africa's healthcare future by cutting costs shortening supply chains and giving continents greater control over its medical needs.
01:44Challenges remain, including the need for skilled professionals, regulatory frameworks, and long-term financing.
01:52But Kigali's process signals a decisive move towards self-reliance and health security for Africa.
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