This week, Bio Usawa’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Regulatory Officer, Dr. Patrick Lukulay, paid a courtesy visit to Prof. Emile Bienvenu, Director General of the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA), during a working visit to Kigali.

The meeting provided an opportunity to share updates on Bio Usawa’s biotechnology manufacturing project and the Bio Usawa Lab Academy (BULA), which aims to strengthen scientific and technical capacity in Rwanda.

Bio Usawa's Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Patrick Lukulay (L), Prof. Emile Bienvenu (R), Director General of Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, at the Rwanda FDA headquarters in Kigali on 14 July 2026.

Dr. Lukulay and Prof. Bienvenu discussed the importance of collaboration between industry and regulators, emphasizing that effective regulation is best achieved through partnership.

Prof. Bienvenu commended Bio Usawa for the speed at which its manufacturing facility is being developed. He also highlighted the shortage of biologics manufacturing facilities in sub-Saharan Africa and welcomed Bio Usawa’s efforts to help address this gap.

Dr. Lukulay thanked Rwanda FDA for its collaborative engagement and strong partnership as Bio Usawa works to advance biotechnology manufacturing and workforce development in Rwanda and across Africa.