Huye, Rwanda, November 18, 2025 – The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) today hosted a high-level delegation for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the National Veterinary Reference Laboratory (NRVL) at its Rubirizi campus. The event was graced by Hon. Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and Hon. Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister of Health, underscoring the project's cross-sectoral significance.

The new facility, a high-security Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory, represents a monumental leap forward in Rwanda's national biosecurity. Funded by a $24.9 million grant from the Pandemic Fund, the laboratory will serve as the cornerstone of the country's animal health surveillance system. It is specifically designed to diagnose and manage zoonotic diseases—infections that transfer from animals to humans—which pose a serious threat to public health and the national economy.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Dr. Bagabe emphasized the facility's transformative potential: “The Rwanda National Veterinary Reference Laboratory will supercharge our national ability to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats before they spread.” He noted that the state-of-the-art lab will replace an outdated facility dating back to 1983, which is no longer fit for purpose.

Hon. Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana highlighted the operational impact, stating that the lab will end the costly and time-consuming process of sending samples abroad for testing, thereby enabling swift responses to contain outbreaks. He affirmed that the investment "is not just for Rwanda, but for humanity as a whole."

As a key component of Rwanda's One Health approach, the laboratory will dramatically enhance the country's pandemic preparedness, positioning it as a leader in regional and global health security.