Prospect of Producing Pharmaceutical-grade Cassava Starch in Ethiopia High, Say Experts

Addis Ababa, July 17, 2025 (ENA)—The Industrial Projects Service (IPS) has submitted a feasibility study on producing pharmaceutical-grade cassava starch to the Ministry of Health and Armauer Hansen Research Institute, unveiling a potential breakthrough to boost Ethiopia’s local pharmaceutical industry.

During the handing over ceremony, IPS General Manager Shiferaw Solomon said this endeavor can yield immense benefits for Ethiopia’s health sector and economy if business and financial institutions collaborate closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers.

 According to him, the service took time to work on cassava in depth and the study is a well-designed, bankable piece of research that will make a significant contribution to the Ethiopian pharmaceutical sector.

 The study, which investigated multiple factors affecting starch production for pharmaceutical use, has identified critical challenges such as supply chain limitations and funding needs.

 Shiferaw believes that there is a promise of leveraging local raw materials to reduce reliance on costly imported starches used in medicines.

 Health State Minister Frehiwot Abebe on her part noted that local production of health-related inputs is a cornerstone of the government’s Made in Ethiopia national strategy.

 Over the past three years, Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical sector has seen remarkable growth in both investment and local manufacturing capabilities, signaling a bright future for homegrown solutions, she added.

 The state minister said that the Ethiopian health policy, which focused on prevention for nearly three decades, has recently expanded to include treatment, curing, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

 To implement this, Ministry of Health prioritizes boosting local production, supporting research, and promoting import substitution.

 She further stated that drugs produced by local pharmaceutical companies are given priority in procurement.

As a result, domestic drug production has risen and its market share jumped from mere 8 percent to 41 percent.

 Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) Director-General, Professor Afework Kassu, expressed his confidence in Ethiopia’s capacity not only to produce but also export pharmaceutical products made from cassava and other root crops.

AHRI has a long legacy of clinical research and is now advancing cutting-edge scientific studies to maximize local resources.

In partnership with Wolaita Sodo University, the institute is developing research and technology to scale up cassava starch production for pharmaceutical use, it was learned.

Today's event gathered diverse stakeholders that discussed expanding local production and supporting Ethiopia’s goals for innovation and economic growth.