Inside Africa’s Push to Make its Own Medicines

​Across most of Sub-Saharan Africa, pharmaceutical imports comprise as much as 70 to 90 percent of drugs consumed. This dependence leaves citizens vulnerable to counterfeit drugs and shortages of essential medicines—which triggered a continent-wide crisis during the pandemic. Though the scarcity of pharmaceuticals in Africa isn't a new problem, there's renewed potential for a solution: investment in domestic pharma production.

In-country production of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients could help ensure access and affordability, but Africa has very few local or regional pharma manufacturing hubs. Now, the worldwide public health crisis has captured the attention of investors who have noted the imbalance between supply and demand. IFC is working in several African countries to put together the components needed for a mature pharmaceutical industry, and coordinating with governments on regulatory reform for pharmaceuticals. ​

There is reason for positivity because notable changes have made Africa a much more viable market for manufacturing pharmaceutical products than it was a decade ago, according to SouthBridge Investments CEO Frannie Léautier. 

Read more here about the renewed urgency for local pharma manufacturing in Africa—and how it can transform national health systems: Inside Africa's Push to Make its Own Medicines.