The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has unveiled plans for over 70 new healthcare manufacturing companies to undertake 22 major projects in Nigeria.
In a message shared on his X handle on Friday, Pate highlighted these initiatives as part of President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to transition Nigeria’s health sector from a consumption-based system to a job-creating and economically valuable industry.
He also mentioned the establishment of more than 10 value chain verticals within the country.
Back in October 2023, President Tinubu introduced the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain, appointing Dr. Abdu Mukhtar as the National Coordinator.
This initiative seeks to increase the local production of pharmaceuticals to at least 70% of national consumption by 2030 and grow the life sciences manufacturing workforce to 50,000 full-time employees, up from the current 20,000.
According to Pate, since the initiative’s launch, significant steps have been taken to stimulate domestic production.
“While it is important to acknowledge that some initial implementation challenges occurred, these have now been collaboratively resolved with all key stakeholders. I am pleased to report that this policy is now positioned to achieve its intended objectives,” he stated.
He noted that investment commitments have been secured, including funding from the European Investment Bank and a $1 billion Memorandum of Understanding with Afreximbank to bolster domestic and incoming manufacturers in the health and life sciences industries.
“To date, we have a line of sight to significant investments,” Pate added, emphasizing progress in unlocking the healthcare value chain through collaboration with five development finance institutions.
He pointed out the active involvement of over 70 healthcare manufacturers in 22 large-scale initiatives, supported by in-country value chain verticals.
Among these is a collaboration with South Africa-based Abbott Diagnostics, which is already producing rapid diagnostic test kits in Lagos and planning to establish a manufacturing plant for malaria and other disease test kits in Nigeria.
Additionally, the minister highlighted a partnership with Global Gases Group for a cryogenic air separation plant to improve medical oxygen production and a recent agreement with Siemens Healthineers to set up an ultrasound assembly plant in Nigeria.
