Rwanda gains factory producing up to 1m syringes daily

On April 1, Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana officiated the launch of TKMD Rwanda’s auto-disable syringe manufacturing facility, which will initially produce up to one million syringes per day for use in Rwanda and other African countries facing supply challenges. The factory, located in the Mwulire Industrial Park in Rwamagana District, was established in partnership with the Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization. This pre-qualified facility collaborates with UNICEF to distribute syringes across several African countries, reducing costs and delivery times. Employing over 100 people—80% of whom are women—the facility enhances healthcare quality and accessibility. Minister Nsanzimana emphasized that the factory provides a crucial solution to Africa’s widespread syringe shortages. He revealed that the first batch of syringes was immediately purchased by UNICEF and will be sent to Ethiopia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and several other countries. “The issue of waiting for syringes was not unique to Rwanda. It was a widespread challenge due to reliance on imports and manufacturers struggling to meet global demand. This factory is now a solution for both Rwanda and Africa as a whole,” he stated. The facility has been operational for five months, during which its syringes underwent quality checks to ensure compliance with international standards.