The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and the Government of Kenya have signed a Host Country Agreement establishing the IVI Kenya Country and AVEC Africa Project Office.
The Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities in Africa (AVEC Africa) project focuses on strengthening Africa’s vaccine ecosystem by linking and enhancing existing institutions and expertise across the vaccine value chain.
The agreement formalises IVI’s presence in Kenya and reinforces a shared commitment to advancing vaccine research and development, translational and field research, product innovation, and capacity-building through workforce development and technology transfer.
Kenya was selected to host the AVEC Africa Project Office, whose overall aim is to oversee IVI vaccine programmes on the continent.
The agreement was signed by IVI Director General Dr Jerome H. Kim and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi in the presence of President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
“The establishment of IVI’s Country Office in Kenya reflects our shared commitment to strengthening health systems, advancing research and development, and championing local manufacturing for Kenya and across Africa,” Mudavadi said.
He added: “This partnership supports Kenya’s vision to become a regional hub for biomanufacturing and underscores the importance of strong international collaboration in improving preparedness, resilience, and equitable access to critical technology.”
IVI is an independent international organisation established in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme.
Its mission is to discover, develop and deliver safe, effective and affordable vaccines while promoting vaccine equity, impact and sustainability globally.
Kenya became a State Party of IVI in May 2024.
Besides the new Country Office in Kenya, IVI has its headquarters in Seoul, Republic of Korea, an Africa Regional Office in Rwanda; a Europe Regional Office in Sweden; and a Country Office in Austria.
Dr Kim said the establishment of the IVI Kenya and AVEC Africa Project Office in Nairobi will strengthen collaboration in vaccine research and development, clinical trials, regulatory cooperation, manufacturing partnerships and workforce development.
The collaboration will involve institutions including the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya BioVax Institute, Kenya Institute of Primate Research, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and universities.
“The signing of this Host Country Agreement marks an important milestone in IVI’s growing partnership with Kenya and our long-term commitment to advancing vaccine research, development and delivery capacity across Africa,” Dr Kim said.
He added: “Kenya has demonstrated strong leadership and vision in strengthening regional health security and biomanufacturing capabilities. Through our country office in Nairobi, we look forward to deepening collaboration with national health agencies, research partners and industry to support African-led innovation and equitable access to vaccines.”
IVI has been involved in vaccine-related research projects in Kenya since 2010. The projects have generated evidence on the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases such as typhoid and cholera.
The organisation has also trained Kenyans in areas related to vaccines, vaccine-preventable diseases, clinical trials, laboratory practice, biologics development and manufacturing, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
