NAIROBI — Kenya is moving closer to producing its own vaccines and medicines after signing a sweeping new agreement with China, aimed at turning the country into a regional pharmaceutical hub by the end of the decade.
Announced on Monday in Nairobi, the deal valued at over $500 million will see the establishment of local vaccine and drug production facilities, part of a broader push to strengthen Kenya’s health system and reduce its dependence on imports.
“This is a major step in securing our future health sovereignty,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, following talks with Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan. “We want to produce what we use and create jobs while we’re at it.”
A Strategic Investment in People
Alongside building factories, China will also invest in people. The agreement includes 500 government-sponsored scholarships for Kenyan students to study health sciences in China, as well as 20 annual exchange programmes for medical professionals.
Duale called the education component a “strategic investment” to grow Kenya’s next generation of health leaders.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni and Director-General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth joined Duale at the meeting, where they proposed a Kenya–China Health Cooperation Taskforce to coordinate efforts and fast-track implementation.
From Donors to Co-Investors
Kenya is also pushing to change how its healthcare partnerships work. Duale said the country is eager to shift from a donor-dependent model to one built on co-investment and mutual benefit.
“We’re not just asking for aid anymore,” he said. “We’re building lasting partnerships that put both countries at the table as equals.”
China’s support in Kenya’s health sector is not new. Technology giant Huawei has equipped rural clinics with digital tools and provided training for thousands of health workers, according to the ministry.
Analysts say the move fits into Beijing’s broader strategy of deepening economic and diplomatic ties across Africa, especially in sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and education.
An Eye on the Future
If all goes to plan, Kenya could become one of the few African countries with large-scale capacity to produce vaccines and essential medicines an ambitious goal given the current reliance on overseas imports for up to 70% of medical supplies.
“There’s still a long way to go,” said Dr. Agnes Gitau, a consultant in Africa China trade based in Nairobi. “But this is the kind of high-impact project that could really change things if managed well.”
The Health Ministry says the factories should be operational by 2028. In the meantime, the first batch of scholarship recipients is expected to begin studies in China early next year.
For now, Kenya’s message is clear: it wants to move from being a consumer of global health aid to a contributor in shaping it. With China’s backing, it may have found a partner ready to support that vision.
