EIB and European Commission join forces with BioNTech to build a sustainable vaccine ecosystem in Africa

• Up to €95 million in blended EIB and EC financing will help BioNTech advance its mRNA manufacturing site in Kigali, Rwanda.
• The project aims to strengthen Africa’s ability to produce investigational or approved vaccines for a range of infectious diseases, supporting health, jobs, and innovation.
• Project delivered in collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, whose support accelerates the development and manufacturing of potential vaccines against public health threats.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission (EC) are teaming up with BioNTech to help advance a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigali, Rwanda. To support this project, BioNTech has been awarded a blended financing option of up to €95 million: a €35 million Commission grant, and the possibility to take out a loan of up to €60 million from the EIB. The facility is designed to produce mRNA vaccines for diseases that matter most to Africa – such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and mpox – if successfully developed and approved.  

The facility will use BioNTech’s “BioNTainers”—high-tech, modular units that can quickly be set up and adapted to produce different mRNA vaccines. This flexible, scalable approach means  vaccines can be tailored to local needs, helping to build a resilient vaccine ecosystem in Africa. If successful, BioNTech’s Kigali site could become the first commercial mRNA vaccine facility on the continent.

“This manufacturing site is about empowering Africa with the tools and expertise to tackle health challenges independently,” said the EIB Vice-President responsible for health, Karl Nehammer. “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.”

Once operational, the facility is expected to produce vaccines for widespread use and support clinical development by manufacturing clinical trial materials for local partners. This aims to build skills, create jobs, and strengthen Rwanda’s role 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. "This, along with our efforts to develop mRNA vaccines against diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, and mpox is aimed at bringing lasting health benefits to millions of people.“

The project is the result of close collaboration between BioNTech, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and Team Europe partners, EC and EIB. It supports the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and also aligns with the African Union’s goal for the continent to produce 60% of its vaccines 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 support, including a grant of up to €130 million announced in 2024, helps ensure that vaccines produced at the Kigali site will be accessible and affordable for those who need them most.

Dr Amadou Sall, Executive Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at CEPI, said: “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.” 

Background information

Access to affordable, quality medicines is at the heart of the EU’s global health policy. BioNTech’s mRNA manufacturing facility in Kigali aims to help build a resilient and sustainable vaccine ecosystem.

The project’s financial support is expected to make a significant contribution to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

How does the blended financing work?

This blended financing is made possible by the European Commission’s EFSD+ guarantee programme and the Human Development Accelerator (HDX), which brings together EIB financing and Gates Foundation expertise. Through HDX, up to €1 billion is being unlocked for global health challenges. Thanks to the EC’s guarantee, the EIB can take greater risks and invest in projects that address market gaps and improve access to vital medical products—including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics—in low- and middle-income countries. As part of this support, BioNTech will receive an EC grant of up to €35 million—starting with an initial €13 million payment, with further disbursements linked to milestones—and has the option to draw a loan of up to €60 million from the EIB. A previously announced CEPI grant of up to € 130 million helps to cover the total project costs.

This article was first published on 13 October by EIB.