NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 3 – Global medical technologies company Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT) has opened its Africa headquarters and regional training centre in Nairobi, marking a significant boost for the continent’s efforts to modernise blood management and expand technical capacity.
The facility is expected to strengthen blood safety systems, train biomedical and clinical personnel, and reinforce Kenya’s growing profile as a regional hub for health innovation.
African health systems continue to face routine blood shortages, weak cold-chain infrastructure, and delays in emergency transfusions—challenges the company says it aims to help address.
Speaking during the launch, Kenya Investment Authority (Invest Kenya) Director Guracha Adi welcomed the investment, saying it aligns with national efforts to improve healthcare delivery. “This investment underscores Kenya’s increasing appeal as a regional hub for advanced medical technologies and capacity building,” he said. “We are confident that this facility will play a pivotal role in elevating technical expertise across the region.”
Terumo BCT President and CEO Antoinette Gawin said the Nairobi headquarters signals the company’s long-term commitment to Africa. “By establishing our headquarters and training centre here, we are committing to building local capacity and enabling African clinicians to access world-class blood and cell technology without relying on overseas expertise,” she said.
Kenya collects about 164,000 units of blood annually—far below the World Health Organization’s recommended 450,000. Limited component separation capacity means whole blood is often used even when platelets or plasma alone would suffice, contributing to chronic shortages.
The new training centre will host biomedical engineers, nurses, blood bank specialists, and transfusion technologists from across Africa for hands-on training in blood-processing devices and donor-safety technologies.
The investment comes as Kenya implements health-sector reforms under the Universal Health Coverage agenda, including digital records, equipment upgrades, and improved supply-chain systems. Hosting a global medical-technology firm’s continental headquarters, analysts say, reflects growing investor confidence in the country’s regulatory and innovation landscape.
Beyond health system improvements, the expansion is expected to support knowledge transfer and contribute to Nairobi’s emergence as a preferred base for multinational companies. “Our goal is not simply to bring machines,” Gawin said. “We are here to transfer knowledge, support local innovation, and build enduring partnerships with Africa’s health community.”
Terumo BCT now joins a rising number of global health-technology firms deepening their presence in Africa as demand for modern medical solutions accelerates.
