Roundup: China's biotech giant BGI opens COVID-19 test kit plant in Ethiopia

BGI China

ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chen Songheng, General Manager of BGI Ethiopia, a subsidiary company of China's biotech giant, BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., is feeling optimistic about Ethiopia's anti-COVID-19 fight.

Chen administers the Chinese company's first ever plant in Africa, a COVID-19 test kit factory located on the outskirts of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

"We have opened our first factory not only in Ethiopia but also in the whole of Africa. Now, the capacity of production for the COVID-19 tests kits is about six million test kits per year," Chen told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"We would like to provide localized production in Ethiopia that can also benefit all African countries. Our aim is to make affordable artificial test kits to all African countries to help them in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic," Chen said.

Chen also applauded the Ethiopian government's high-level support to the new COVID-19 test kit factory, showcased with the inauguration of the factory by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on September 13.

"We appreciate the support from the Ethiopian government. With the Ethiopian government alongside us we feel very strong confidence in the fight against COVID-19," said Chen.

With the COVID-19 test kit plant already receiving glowing remarks from high level Ethiopian government officials, Chen feels confident that the initiative will diversify its engagements in the post-COVID-19 era.

"After the COVID-19 pandemic disappears, we will focus on the artificial test kits production to provide products for the likes of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria and dengue fever," Chen told Xinhua.

BGI Ethiopia's work currently isn't solely restricted to the production of COVID-19 tests kits, with Ethiopian staff of the firm gaining knowledge and experience through their employment.

One such Ethiopian employee is Hussein Mohammed, a Research and Development Engineer at the BGI Ethiopia plant. said the East African country lacks sufficient medical expertise relating to COVID-19, which the new factory will provide.