Rwamagana, 1 April 2025 – Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, officiated the launch of TKMD Rwanda’s auto-disable syringe manufacturing facility in Mwulire Sector, Rwamagana District.

The WHO pre-qualified facility produces up to 1 million 0.5ml syringes daily and is already supplying UNICEF to support immunization programs across Africa, reducing costs and delivery time.

“This marks a major step forward for local manufacturing in Africa. This new syringe manufacturing facility will improve access to essential medical supplies,improve healthcare access and creating jobs especially for women,” said Minister Nsanzimana.

Established in partnership with the Gates Foundation, TKMD Rwanda began production in November 2024 and has since produced 22 million syringes. The factory has secured a 150-million-unit contract with UNICEF and is expected to cut transport times by up to 90% for East, Central, and Southern Africa—delivering supplies in days instead of months.

The facility currently employs 110 people, 80% of whom are women, with plans to double its workforce in the near future.

In December 2024, TKMD Rwanda became one of Africa’s first WHO pre-qualified manufacturers of early-activation auto-disable (AD) syringes. These syringes prevent reuse, reducing the risk of HIV, hepatitis B, and other infections, and have contributed to a 40% decrease in bloodborne pathogen transmission in sub-Saharan Africa over the past two decades.

Learn more about TKMD Rwanda here