Officials and representatives from Apifa Biotech, Konza Technopolis, Swedfund, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) and IQVIA pose for a group photo during the announcement of funding support for preparatory studies towards the establishment of Kenya’s first Biopharma Life Sciences Park at Konza Technopolis on November 12, 2026.
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, Kenya, November 12, 2026 – Kenya’s efforts to reduce reliance on imported medicines and strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing have received a major boost following a funding commitment from Sweden’s development finance institution, Swedfund, towards the establishment of the country’s first Biopharma Life Sciences Park at Konza Technopolis.
The proposed facility, which will be developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) between Apifa Biotech and the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA), aims to position Kenya as a regional centre for pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology research and life sciences innovation.
The National Treasury approved the project in April 2026 to proceed to the development phase, paving the way for preparatory work ahead of its implementation.
Swedfund’s grant will finance technical and commercial studies to assess the project’s feasibility, strengthen its investment proposition and guide the next stages of development.
To undertake the feasibility study, the project committee has selected a consortium comprising Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a global real estate and investment advisory firm, and IQVIA, a healthcare research and analytics company.
The two firms will bring expertise in life sciences strategy, infrastructure development, investment advisory and operational planning to determine the requirements for establishing the proposed manufacturing hub.
Technopolis Development Authority Chief Executive Officer John Paul Okwiri said the project would strengthen Konza’s position as an investment destination for pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology innovation.
“The Biopharma Life Sciences Park will position Konza as an emerging centre for life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing, helping Kenya move from importing most of its medicines to producing them locally,” said Okwiri.
He said the project also demonstrates how public-private partnerships can bring together private sector expertise, financing and technical capabilities to deliver major infrastructure investments.
“Konza Technopolis is a strong champion of public-private partnerships because we believe they are the most practical way to move huge infrastructure from paper to reality. This project is a clear example of why private expertise and capital mobilisation matter,” he added.
Swedfund’s funding will support the groundwork needed to establish the park, including technical assessments and commercial evaluations that will determine whether the proposed investment is viable.
Elsa Ekblom, Health Sector Lead at Project Accelerator, Swedfund, said the financial commitment would help prepare the project for long-term investment and ensure it delivers meaningful development benefits.
“This funding commitment we are making today will help to advance the necessary groundwork, strengthen project preparation, and create a clear pathway toward maximising national development outcomes and attracting long-term private investment to develop Kenya’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector,” said Ekblom.
Apifa Biotech Board Chairman Dr Gerald Macharia and the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keter, also witnessed the announcement and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the proposed development.
Dr Keter said the funding, combined with the technical expertise of JLL and IQVIA, marked an important step towards establishing a world-class pharmaceutical and life sciences manufacturing hub in Kenya to serve the East African Community (EAC) region.
“We are excited as Apifa Biotech to witness this important milestone. Our engagement with Konza Technopolis and Swedfund’s financial support for the project development phase, together with the global experience of JLL and IQVIA, the consortium awarded to conduct the feasibility study, brings us a significant step closer to realising our vision of establishing a world-class Biopharma Life Sciences manufacturing hub in Kenya for the EAC region. We look forward to the next steps,” said Dr Keter.
The proposed park will be designed, developed and financed by Apifa Biotech. It is expected to provide a platform for pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers, investors and technology companies to collaborate on production, research and innovation.
Beyond manufacturing, the initiative is expected to support Konza Technopolis’ broader vision of bringing together technology, research and industry to address development challenges facing Kenya and the wider region.
The project also aligns with the African Union’s target of meeting 60 per cent of the continent’s health product needs through local manufacturing by 2040.
It further supports Kenya’s development plans and policy ambitions to produce at least half of its essential health products locally, a move expected to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce dependence on imported supplies.
With the grant funding secured, the project now moves into a critical preparation stage. The feasibility study by JLL and IQVIA will guide decisions on technical requirements, commercial viability, investment structures and the roadmap for implementation.
The findings are expected to provide a clearer picture of the investment needed to turn the proposed Biopharma Life Sciences Park into a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing centre.
