Kenya and Moderna Inc have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the first mRNA manufacturing facility in Africa.
In a statement, Moderna says it expects to invest about $500 million in the Kenyan facility and supply as many as 500 million doses of mRNA vaccines to the continent annually.
“In parallel, Moderna is also working on plans to allow it to fill doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in Africa as early as 2023, subject to demand,” the company said.
“This partnership is a testament to the capabilities of our community and our commitment to technological innovation. Moderna’s investment in Kenya will help advance equitable global vaccine access and is emblematic of the structural developments that will enable Africa to become an engine of sustainable global growth,” said President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement.
“Setting up of the mRNA manufacturing facility will be a game-changer, especially for Kenya who has had the vision to produce vaccines,” Uhuru said.
“We are celebrating one of the greatest things that has possibly happened since the onset of COVID-19 at the African continent.”
Director for Africa Centre for Disease Control Dr John Nkengasong said the setting up of the facility is critical to Africa’s security noting that the production of the vaccines will ensure the continent is able to tackle current and future health challenges.
We were honored to participate in a signing ceremony today with President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta; Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe; Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa CDC and Eric Kneedler, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/BxT2xOPHFK
— Moderna (@moderna_tx) March 7, 2022
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