Tanzania to Build Largest Kidney Transplant Center in Sub-Saharan Africa
Dodoma, Tanzania — Tanzania is set to establish the largest kidney transplant and training center in Sub-Saharan Africa, following a $1.3 billion grant from Japan’s Tokushukai Medical Corporation. The state-of-the-art facility will be housed at the Benjamin Mkapa Zonal Referral Hospital in Dodoma, developed in collaboration with the University of Dodoma (UDOM).
The project was officially formalized on Monday when Tanzania and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the World Expo Osaka 2025. Construction is expected to begin later this year and take three years to complete.
Once operational, the facility will make Tanzania a key hub for kidney transplant services in Africa, significantly reducing dependence on costly overseas medical referrals.
Benjamin Mkapa Hospital Executive Director, Prof. Abel Makubi, hailed the agreement as a game-changer in specialized healthcare:
“This MoU establishes a center of excellence for kidney transplantation, not only in Tanzania but across the Sahara region.”
Prof. Makubi also expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its support, praising Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan for fostering international partnerships that enable such advancements.
Beyond offering life-saving kidney transplants, the center will train medical specialists, conduct critical research, and develop solutions to combat the rising incidence of kidney disease in Africa.
According to UDOM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lugano Kusiluka, the initiative will extend beyond treatment to improving the manufacturing and maintenance of medical equipment, reducing healthcare costs in the long term.
“With this agreement, we will also train professionals on how to manufacture and maintain medical equipment, extending its lifespan and lowering costs.”
Additionally, the center is set to expand its services to other types of organ transplants, providing comprehensive care that could reshape specialized medical treatment across the continent.
The kidney center agreement was one of six MoUs signed between Tanzanian institutions and Japanese partners during the forum. Notably, another agreement was reached between UDOM, Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, and Japan’s Africa Economic and Development Association (AFRECO), further strengthening collaboration in medical research and innovation.
This milestone signals a new era for Tanzania’s healthcare system, positioning the country as a leader in specialized treatment and medical training within Sub-Saharan Africa.
