Kenya signs landmark IVI agreement to host the Africa vaccine research hub in Nairobi

KENYA—The Government of Kenya and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have signed a Host Country Agreement to establish the IVI Kenya Country Office and the Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities in Africa (AVEC Africa) Project Office in Nairobi.

This marks a major step in the country’s efforts to strengthen vaccine research, manufacturing, and health security across the continent.

The agreement was signed at State House, Nairobi, by IVI Director General Jerome H. Kim and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi in the presence of President William S. Ruto.

Kenya strengthens vaccine innovation agenda

The agreement formally establishes IVI’s presence in Kenya and deepens collaboration in vaccine research and development, translational and field research, product innovation, workforce training, and technology transfer.

Through the AVEC Africa initiative, IVI aims to strengthen Africa’s vaccine ecosystem by linking institutions and expertise across the vaccine value chain.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Kim described the agreement as a major milestone in IVI’s long-standing partnership with Kenya and Africa.

He noted that Kenya has shown strong leadership in advancing regional health security and expanding biomanufacturing capacity.

According to him, the Nairobi office will help IVI work more closely with national health agencies, researchers, and industry players to support African-led vaccine innovation and improve equitable access to vaccines across the continent.

On his part, Mudavadi said the establishment of the country office demonstrates the shared commitment between Kenya and IVI to strengthen health systems, advance research and development, and promote local vaccine manufacturing in Kenya and across Africa.

He added that the partnership aligns with Kenya’s ambition to become a regional biomanufacturing hub while improving preparedness and resilience against future health threats.

Collaboration with Kenyan research institutions

Under the partnership, IVI will collaborate closely with institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Kenya BioVax Institute, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to support vaccine development, manufacturing, and regulatory strengthening.

President Ruto noted that Kenya’s relationship with IVI has grown over the past two decades and has recently led to Kenya’s election to the vice presidency of the IVI Global Council and membership on the Board of Trustees.

The agreement comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on imported vaccines and position itself as a continental leader in vaccine manufacturing.

Recent government initiatives include Kenya’s participation in the WHO-Medicines Patent Pool mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, which aims to build local mRNA vaccine production capacity through the Kenya BioVax Institute and KEMRI.

Africa accelerates vaccine manufacturing investments

The signing also coincides with renewed momentum in Africa’s vaccine manufacturing agenda during the recent Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.

In recent days, the Africa CDC welcomed a US$180 million investment to expand vaccine manufacturing capacity at South Africa’s Biovac facility, which is expected to produce vaccines for cholera, polio, pneumonia, and meningitis.

Kenya has also announced ongoing investments in local vaccine manufacturing infrastructure, including a US$60.8 million fill-and-finish vaccine facility and a planned US$248 million end-to-end vaccine manufacturing plant at Konza Technopolis.

The government expects the country’s first locally manufactured vaccine trial batch to be ready by the end of 2027.

Kenya became a state party to IVI in May 2024.

In addition to its headquarters in Seoul, IVI operates an Africa regional office in Rwanda, a Europe regional office in Sweden, and a country office in Austria.