The City of Kigali – Rwanda, is hosting the Global Health Supply Chain Summit (GHSCS) 2025 from November 18–20, 2025, positioning the city as a key hub for health logistics and innovation in Africa. The summit brings together policymakers, health practitioners, supply chain experts, and private-sector leaders to discuss strategies for ensuring efficient delivery of medicines, vaccines, and essential health commodities. With the theme “Powering Self-Reliance: Value Chains that Deliver, Sustain, and Thrive,” the forum emphasizes resilient health supply systems capable of meeting both current and future challenges.
Focus Areas and Program Highlights
The summit covers critical topics such as procurement, vaccine supply chains, market access, and strategies for reaching underserved populations. Attendees will engage in plenary sessions, technical workshops, and panel discussions. Key speakers include prominent figures like Dr. Delese Mimi Darko of the African Medicines Agency and Zeynep Kantur Özenç from the International Finance Corporation. Participants will also explore the latest innovations in cold chain logistics, inventory management, and digital tools for tracking medical supplies, with a particular emphasis on solutions adaptable to low-resource settings.
Site Visits and Hands-On Learning
On November 17, prior to the official opening, participants have the opportunity to attend site visits across Kigali and surrounding areas. These visits include the Rwanda Medical Supply central warehouse, the TKMD syringe manufacturing facility, and the Zipline drone operations center in Muhanga, which demonstrates Rwanda’s pioneering use of drones for medical deliveries. Attendees will also tour the Rwanda National Health Intelligence Center, highlighting the integration of data analytics into supply chain management for more efficient healthcare delivery.
Innovation and Capacity Building
The summit also hosts a prize competition, inviting projects from low- and lower-middle-income countries to showcase innovative approaches to health supply chain challenges. Finalists present their solutions during the forum, with the winning team receiving financial support and global visibility. In addition, the summit aligns with local capacity-building initiatives such as the University of Kigali’s Centre for Applied Logistics and Supply Chain Management, which trains professionals to strengthen Rwanda’s and the region’s supply chain systems.
Importance of the Forum for Rwanda
Hosting the GHSCS 2025 underscores Rwanda’s growing role as a center for health innovation and logistics excellence in Africa. The forum provides a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the development of strategies to enhance supply chain resilience. Rwanda’s investments in cold chains, digital health systems, and innovative delivery methods, including drones, have drawn global attention and set a benchmark for other nations in the region.
Regional and Global Implications
The discussions at Kigali extend beyond national boundaries, as participants explore scalable solutions for global health challenges. By facilitating partnerships between governments, international agencies, NGOs, and private-sector actors, the summit aims to strengthen regional health systems and improve access to essential medicines across Africa. The lessons learned in Kigali are expected to influence supply chain policies and investments worldwide, particularly in contexts where logistical bottlenecks and resource limitations pose ongoing challenges.
Looking Ahead
As the three-day summit progresses, participants are expected to leave Kigali with actionable insights, new partnerships, and innovative strategies for strengthening health supply chains. Beyond immediate outcomes, the event reinforces Rwanda’s commitment to becoming a resilient and self-reliant hub for global health initiatives. With continued investment in infrastructure, technology, and human capital, the country is poised to serve as a model for health supply chain efficiency and sustainability on the African continent.
