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East Africa Pharma & Biotech Conference 2024

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East Africa
Pharma & Biotech
Conference
2024

17 – 18 September 2024
Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda

Hosted by:

Supported by:

AGENDA

17 - 18 September 2024

The aims of the conference is to strengthen the network among experts from industry, politics, academia, civil society and development cooperation, create a peer-group and leverage experiences for the continuous development of the pharma and biotech sector in the region.

  • Day 1 - 17 September 2024


  • Day 2 - 18 September 2024


  • Day 3 – 19 September 2024


    • Introduction by MC, Irma Ihumure
    • Honorable Dr. Yvan Butera (Minister of State of Health, Government of Rwanda),
      Dr. Chiluba Mwila (Programme Lead, Workforce Development, Africa CDC),
      Peter Primus (Chargé d’affaires a.i., German Embassy)
    Where
    MH2

  • Incentives and instruments shaping pharmaceutical market predictability in East Africa
    • Keynote by Dr. Jens Windahl Pedersen (Africa CDC): Landscape Analysis of vaccine manufacturing in Africa
    • Speakers:
       Mathias Magoola (Dei Biopharma Ltd Uganda),
      Dr. John Mwangi (Africa Regulatory Network),
      Thomas Charles (Tanzania Medicines & Medical Devices Authority)
    Moderator: Dr. Julius Simon Otim (East African Community Secretariat)
    Where
    MH2

    • Dr. Yvan Butera (Minister of State of Health, Government of Rwanda),
      Hon. Claudette Irere (Minister of State of Education, Government of Rwanda),
      H.E. Belen Calvo Uyarra (Ambassador of the European Union to Rwanda),
      H.E Dag Sjöögren (Ambassador of Sweden to Rwanda),
      Laurent Preud’homme (Chargé d’affaires, Belgian Embassy),
      H.E Antoine Anfré (Ambassador of France to Rwanda),
      Peter Primus (Chargé d’affaires a.i., German Embassy)
    Where
    MH1

  • Connect at the Exhibition and Networking Village
    Where
    Concourse / in front of MH1

    • Speakers:
      Bernhards Ogutu (Kenya Medical Research Institute - Strathmore University),
      Dr. Menghis Bairu (Bio Usawa Inc.),
      Moses Asiimwe (Akagera Medicines)
    Moderator: Dr. Clarisse Musanabaganwa (RBC)
    Where
    AD12

    • Keynote by Dr. Chiluba Mwila (Africa CDC): Workforce Development
    • Speakers:
      Dheepak Maharajh (UVU Bio),
      Prof. Dr. Chimezie Anyakora (Bloom Public Health),
      Miriam Rusconi (Unizima),
      Prof. Dr. Maik Lehmann (BioMex)
    Moderator: Dr. Martyna Scibiorek (UVU Bio)
    Where
    MH1

  • Connect at Exhibition and Net-working Village

    • Speakers:
      Clarisse Musanabaganwa (RBC),
      Helena Heysteck (Afrigen Biologics),
      Loice Kikwai (Market Access Africa),
      Berabose Aline Joyce (LUNA Health),
      Gisele Uwase, (BioNTech Rwanda)
    Moderator: Sonia Kabuguza
    Where
    MH1

    • Speakers:
      Daniel Ndima (Cape Biosciences),
      Fanie Marais (Maravion),
      Dr. Omar Sakr (Nawah Scientific),
      Robert Karanja (Villgro Africa),
      Dheepak Maharajh (UVU Bio),
      Dr. Claus Runge (Bayer Pharmaceuticals)
    • Moderator: Prof. Dirk Schroeder (Advancing Health Innovation in Africa, Emory University)
    Where
    AD12

    • Speakers:
      Dr. Emile Bienvenu (Rwanda FDA),
      Paul Sonda (Tanzania Medicines & Medical Devices Authority),
      Dr. Burhani Simai, (Zanzibar FDA),
      Helen Ndagije (National Drug Authority Uganda),
      Dr. Mawien Atem (Drug and Food Control Authority South Sudan),
      Priscilla Agyeiwaa Mensah (Ghana FDA),
    • Moderator: Loice Kikwai, Bakani Ncube (Market Access Africa)
    Where
    MH1

    • Recap of conference: Njung'e Wanjiru, Yemsrach Yetneberk, Samson Yetneberk (Graphic Recorders)
    Where
    MH1

    • Welcome by MC, Isabelle Masozera
    Where
    MH1

    • Speakers:
      Hannes Malan (CPT Pharma),
      Dr. Frankline Keter (APIFA),
      Emeka Okoli (Emzor Pharmaceuticals)
    • Moderator: Dr. Jens Pedersen (Africa CDC)
    Where
    AD12

    • Speakers:
      Charlotte Maserumule (MINTEK),
      Mary Ogangwu (Colexa Biosensor),
      Cedric Akwesigye (Microhaem Uganda),
      Laud Basing (Incas Diagnostics),
      Daniel Ndima (Cape Bio),
      Genevieve Thompson (Gene Vantage)
    • Moderator: Pam Pillay, Chris Smit (Market Access Africa)
    Where
    MH1

  • East African biotech start-ups showcasing their technologies & competing for seed funding
    Where
    Competition: Exhibition and networking village (Booth UVUBio)

    • Speakers:
      Menghis Bairu (Co-founder and CEO, Bio Usawa Inc.),
      Dr. Richard Chin (Co-founder and Board Chair, Bio Usawa Inc.)
    Where
    AD12

  • Moderator: Pushpa Vijayaraghavan (Sathguru Management Consultants)
    Where
    MH1

  • Moderator: Pushpa Vijayaraghavan (Sathguru Management Consultants)
    Where
    MH1

    • Announcement of winners UVU Bio Pitch Competition: Dheepak Maharajh (CEO, UVU Bio)
    • Recap of conference: Njung'e Wanjiru, Yemsrach Yetneberk, Samson Yetneberk (Graphic Recorders)
    • Closing remarks:
      Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi (Director General, Rwanda Biomedical Centre),
      Dr. Chiluba Mwila (Programme Lead, Workforce Development Africa CDC)
    Where
    MH1

  • On invitation only – please reach out to Dheepak Maharajh (CEO, UVU Bio) at: dheepak@uvubio.com if you are interested to attend the launch event. UVU Bio will officially launch the Rwanda Bioeconomy Hub in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and the University of Rwanda with support by German Cooperation. The facility is the second of its kind in Africa and will include an open access biotechnology lab and training facility constituting an essential tool to support the growth of the biotech and pharma industry in Rwanda.
    Where
    University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, Nyarugenge Campus, Karisimbi Block


VENUE AND ACCOMODATION

Conference venue

The conference will take place at the Kigali Convention Centre, which is centrally located and only 6km away from Kigali Airport.

Address:

Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center

KG 2 Roundabout,
Kigali, Rwanda

https://www.kcc.rw/

Phone: +250 252 253 253
E-Mail: sales@rcb.rw

Accommodation

There are various hotels in Kigali where you can book your stay, some of them are listed below. Please contact the hotels directly to know more about their availabilities and their prices. If not informed otherwise by the organizers, you will pay for the accommodation yourself. If you wish assistance with facilitating the reservations, please contact Rwanda Events.

Some of the hotel is Kigali:

5-star Hotels

Kigali Marriott Hotel
Kigali Serena Hotel
The Retreat Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel

4-star Hotels

Four Points by Sheraton
Park Inn by Radisson Blu
Ubumwe Grande Hotel
Hotel des Mille Collines
Grand Legacy Hotel
Lemigo Hotel

3-star Hotels

Mythos Hotel
Heaven Hotel
Galaxy Hotel

FAQs

Travelers who are not considered visa-free require a visa to enter Rwanda. Please inform yourself under which category you fall.

If you require a visa, you will receive it upon arrival at the airport. The fee for a visa for a single entry and a stay of 30 days is 50 USD and for a multiple entry and a stay of 90 days is 70 USD. At the airport, the fee can be paid in USD, EUR in cash or by credit card. This must be paid by all individuals at the airport. 

Please inform the organizers in case you need a personalized invitation letter.

Q: Who can register? A: Registration is by invitation only. You must have received an official invitation to be eligible.

Q: How do I register? A: Use the unique link provided in your invitation email to access the registration page.

PLEASE ADD (accessibility of the venue)



The transportation in Kigali depends on moto taxis and on car taxis. Longer journeys throughout the country can be done with the public buses.

Shuttle services from the airport to the accommodation is normally provided by the hotel, please ensure that it is included when making your hotel reservation. Alternatively, there are airport taxis.

Note: Please note that the information summarized here is only indicative. Visit RBC website or the websites of the authorities in your home country for more accurate information.

COVID-19

Additional COVID-19 tests are no longer required to enter the country. However, regular testing is encouraged.

Yellow Fever

Travelers from countries with yellow fever transmission risks are required to present a yellow fever certificate at the point of arrival. Please visit RBC website to know if your country is affected.

Malaria

There is a high year-round nationwide risk of malaria, which cannot be precisely defined due to the country’s diverse topography. Even in the capital Kigali there is a high to malaria infections. Therefore, malaria prophylaxis (clothing, mosquito nets, island repellent and medication in consultation with a tropical or travel doctor) is strongly recommended.

Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)

There is a risk of transmission of schistosomiasis when bathing in rivers and lakes throughout the country. Bathing in open waters is not recommended.

The national currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). Cash should only be exchanged in banks, hotels or foreign exchange offices. It is recommended to take EUR or USD with you, as long as they are new bills (from 2009). These can be exchanged without any problems.

Furthermore, it is possible to withdraw RWF with credit or EC cards at ATMs. Depending on the credit institution, different fees may apply. Many stores now only accept cashless payments. Services must be paid for with “Momo” (“mobile money”).

The import of plastic packaging and bags is not allowed.