Nigeria's pharma group targets 70% local drug production

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) is intensifying efforts to reshape the nation's pharmaceutical industry by targeting 70% domestic manufacturing of medicines. This strategic vision directly supports the Federal Government's objective to curb Nigeria's reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.

Patrick Ajah, Managing Director of May & Baker Nigeria Plc and chair of the exhibition planning committee, explained that the upcoming eighth Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo is designed to champion indigenous production. The expo will prioritize locally manufactured products and recognize companies contributing to Nigeria's local content agenda. Participation will be limited to foreign exhibitors offering products or services that support local manufacturing, such as machinery or production materials not yet available domestically.

Ajah noted the encouraging momentum in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, evidenced by the emergence of new factories and growing interest in PMG-MAN membership. "The momentum in local pharmaceutical manufacturing is encouraging. We are seeing more factories springing up across the country, and many companies are seeking to become members of PMG-MAN," he stated, attributing this growth to government policies and advocacy efforts.

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The momentum in local pharmaceutical manufacturing is encouraging. We are seeing more factories springing up across the country, and many companies are seeking to become members of PMG-MAN. This clearly shows that government policies and our advocacy efforts are yielding positive results.

Recent global supply chain disruptions, including geopolitical tensions affecting trade routes, have further highlighted the vulnerability of imported pharmaceuticals. This situation validates the urgent need for Nigeria to accelerate its local drug manufacturing capacity. PMG-MAN is championing a transition where Nigeria shifts from importing 70% of its pharmaceutical needs to producing that same percentage locally, mirroring the success of industrialized nations like India and China.

The 2026 Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo is scheduled for September 28-29 at the Harbour Point Event Centre. Executive Secretary Frank Muonemeh anticipates over 200 exhibiting companies and approximately 10,000 pharmaceutical and healthcare professionals from across Africa. The expo's theme, 'Regional Manufacturing: Advancing Africa’s Pharma and Life Science Sovereignty through Localisation,' underscores the commitment to strengthening regional self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical production.

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With the geopolitical tensions affecting global trade routes, including the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, imported pharmaceuticals are vulnerable to disruptions. This validates the need for Nigeria to accelerate local manufacturing.