The Rwandan government confirmed its commitment to host the IVI regional office through Presidential Order No. 091/01, issued on December 26, 2024, and published in the Official Gazette on December 27, 2024.
The agreement to establish the office in Rwanda was initially signed in June by Rwanda's Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, and the Director General of IVI, Dr. Jerome H. Kim, marking a significant step toward advancing vaccine research, development, and manufacturing across the African continent.
The two parties formally ratified the agreement on November 25, 2024, officially confirming Rwanda as the host country for the IVI Africa office.
The agreement includes 21 provisions, including tax exemptions on goods and services such as equipment, vehicles, machinery, and other materials exclusively used by IVI. However, items sold to individuals or businesses will not qualify for tax exemption.
Another key aspect of the agreement is its emphasis on building local capacity for pharmaceutical production, aiming to promote self-reliance in health matters across Africa. This initiative also seeks to improve public health outcomes and foster technological advancements in the sector.
As part of this strategic effort, the IVI Africa Regional Office will play a pivotal role in advancing vaccination initiatives, driving technological innovation, and supporting sustainable vaccine manufacturing in Rwanda and other African countries.
The move comes as a BioNTech vaccine manufacturing plant is also under construction in Rwanda, further cementing the country's position as a key player in the global vaccine ecosystem.
IVI is a non-profit organization committed to ensuring that vaccines are available and accessible worldwide. It collaborates with governments, research institutions, and the vaccine industry to achieve this mission.
Since its founding in 1997, IVI has been instrumental in developing, testing, and distributing vaccines across the globe.
Rwanda's selection as the host of IVI's Africa Regional Office was confirmed in February 2024, following a rigorous evaluation process that reviewed proposals from five countries.
The decision was hailed by both IVI and the Rwandan government as a critical step toward addressing vaccine equity across the continent.
With its global headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, and regional offices in Sweden and Austria, IVI's new African office represents a significant advancement in its mission to ensure safe and affordable vaccines reach the people who need them most.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-confirms-hosting-ivi-africa-vaccine-office
