NASENI and TROMENT Sign Historic MoU for Nigeria’s First Rapid Diagnostic Test Production Plant.

In a ceremony attended by senior government officials and industry leaders, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and TROMENT Nigeria Limited have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Production Plant in Nigeria.

The MoU, signed in February 2024, establishes the legal and operational framework for NASENI-TROMENT Biotechnologies — a public-private partnership that will develop, produce, and commercialise high-quality rapid diagnostic test kits for a wide range of infectious diseases including Malaria, HIV, Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, and COVID-19.

A Historic Mandate

Hon. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, described the partnership as “a transformative moment for Nigerian healthcare and industrial policy.” Speaking at the signing ceremony, he emphasised that the facility aligns directly with the Presidential mandate to drive technology transfer and local production of medical devices.

Dr. Selim Hani, Chief Executive Officer of NASENI-TROMENT Biotechnologies, said the partnership brings together the strengths of Nigeria’s foremost engineering agency with decades of private sector healthcare expertise: “We are not here to assemble kits. We are here to manufacture them — completely, independently, on Nigerian soil.”

European Technology Partnership

The MoU also formalises the role of Vision Biotechnology, a European diagnostics manufacturer with over 25 years of experience, as the strategic technology partner. Vision Biotechnology will provide a complete and unrestricted technology transfer — including scientific dossiers, production know-how, and ongoing Quality Control and Quality Assurance support.

The facility, to be located at Plot 6, Cadastral Zone, adjacent to NASENI Headquarters in Idu Industrial Area, Abuja, is expected to achieve a production capacity of over 600 million diagnostic tests per year when fully operational.