Rwanda has signed a cooperation agreement with Swiss pharmaceutical company Sandoz aimed at improving access to essential medicines, including cancer treatments and other critical drugs.
The agreement was signed in Kigali on April 15, 2026, by Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, and Simon Goeller, Head of Strategy and Business Development at Sandoz.
Under the deal, Sandoz will initially supply Rwanda with around 60 types of medicines as part of its broader expansion strategy across African markets, with a focus on affordable and quality healthcare products.
“This is a first step toward a sustainable model for delivering affordable and high-quality medicines in the region. It reflects our mission to make healthcare more accessible to patients,” Goeller said.
Dr. Nsanzimana said Rwanda is among the countries in sub-Saharan Africa providing cancer treatment services and continues to prioritize both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
He said the partnership will help expand access to quality cancer care, biosimilars, generics, and essential antibiotics at more affordable prices.
Sandoz, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a portfolio of around 1,300 products ranging from basic treatments such as antibiotics to advanced therapies including cancer drugs.
The company has more than 140 years of experience, over 80 years in antibiotics production, and 20 years in biosimilars development, with revenues of about $11.1 billion recorded in 2025.
