Kenya has taken a major step in strengthening its position as a regional leader in healthcare innovation following the signing of a Host Country Agreement with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). The agreement officially establishes the IVI Kenya Country Office alongside the Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities in Africa (AVEC Africa) Project Office in Nairobi.
The AVEC Africa initiative is designed to enhance the continent’s vaccine ecosystem by connecting institutions and expertise across the entire vaccine value chain. The project aims to improve collaboration in research, production, and distribution of vaccines across Africa. Kenya was selected to host the continental project office, which will coordinate IVI’s vaccine programs and partnerships throughout Africa.
The agreement was signed at State House, Nairobi, by IVI Director General Jerome H. Kim and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi. The signing ceremony was witnessed by President William Ruto. Mudavadi noted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening health systems, advancing research, and promoting local vaccine manufacturing in Kenya and across the continent.
He emphasized that the collaboration aligns with Kenya’s ambition to become a leading hub for biomanufacturing, while also enhancing preparedness and equitable access to essential health technologies.
Strengthening Research and Innovation
The establishment of the Nairobi office is expected to deepen collaboration in several key areas, including:
- Vaccine research and development
- Clinical trials and field research
- Regulatory cooperation
- Manufacturing partnerships
- Workforce development and technology transfer
The initiative will involve partnerships with leading Kenyan institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kenya BioVax Institute, Kenya Institute of Primate Research, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and local universities.
IVI’s Growing Footprint in Africa
Founded in 1997 with support from the United Nations Development Programme, IVI is an independent international organization dedicated to developing safe, effective, and affordable vaccines while promoting global vaccine equity.
Kenya officially became a State Party to IVI in May 2024, further strengthening ties between the country and the organization. Beyond its new Nairobi office, IVI operates its global headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, along with regional offices in Rwanda and Sweden, and a country office in Austria.
A Longstanding Partnership
VI has been actively involved in Kenya since 2010, conducting research on vaccine-preventable diseases such as typhoid and cholera. The organization has also contributed to capacity-building by training Kenyan professionals in clinical trials, laboratory practices, biologics development, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). According to Dr. Kim, the new office marks a significant milestone in expanding collaboration with Kenya and advancing Africa-led innovation in vaccine development and delivery.
The partnership is expected to play a critical role in strengthening Africa’s health security and accelerating the continent’s ability to produce and distribute vaccines locally. With Kenya at the center of this initiative, the country is poised to become a key driver of innovation and access in the global health landscape.
