Nigeria to begin local production of pharmaceutical ingredients Q1 2027, says FG
Nigeria is expected to begin local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the first quarter of 2027, the Federal Government has said.
The development is expected to help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported pharmaceutical raw materials, with more than 90% of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients used by the industry currently sourced from abroad, according to a 2026 KPMG report.
Mukhtar Abdul, National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry (PVAC), disclosed this on Wednesday at the 2026 Joint Annual Review in Abuja.
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He said a major pharmaceutical company was preparing to establish an active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing plant, with operations expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
Abdul said the plant would represent a significant milestone for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa, as the country seeks to expand its capacity to produce essential medicines and other medical products locally.
He also said the government had introduced the Bridge to Scale financing mechanism, a donor-supported programme designed to lower borrowing costs and improve access to affordable finance for pharmaceutical manufacturers and other businesses in the healthcare value chain.
The initiative is also supporting cross-border investments and partnerships, including efforts to help Nigerian manufacturers and regulatory institutions establish pharmaceutical production facilities in other African countries.
Abdul said the government was also working to expand local manufacturing across other segments of the healthcare value chain, including the production of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, the establishment of diagnostic product packaging and manufacturing facilities, expansion of medical oxygen production and investments in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
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Abdul informed that PVAC was targeting support for more than 200 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, with particular attention to improving financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
He added that the proposed Life Care Fund would provide another financing option for businesses in the healthcare sector. He said the initiative is also working with regulators and industry partners to support Nigeria’s ambition to attain higher World Health Organisation regulatory maturity status and advance local vaccine manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) reported 5,532 enforcement activities during the period under review as part of efforts to tackle counterfeit, substandard and falsified medicines and other regulated products.
Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the agency, represented by Salihu Bello, said the operations included 213 raids, 211 sanctions and 52 arrests.
Adeyeye informed that NAFDAC also seized 821 products, shut 179 premises and destroyed counterfeit and expired products valued at N22.73 billion through 22 destruction exercises.
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On regulatory development, the agency said Nigeria had attained full membership of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, becoming its 24th member.
Nigeria also became the 31st African Union member state to ratify and deposit its instrument of ratification for the African Medicines Agency agreement, strengthening its participation in continental pharmaceutical regulation.
For 2027, NAFDAC identified the attainment of WHO Maturity Level 4 and WHO Listed Authority status, stronger enforcement, expanded digital product traceability and deeper international regulatory cooperation as key priorities.
