Gov’t, Industry Leaders Pledge to Position Ethiopia Top Health Product Manufacturing Hub in Africa

Addis Ababa, September 23, 2025 (ENA) -- The Government of Ethiopia is committed to reinforcing sovereignty through the development of key sectors, notably pharmaceutical and medical supplies manufacturing, Industry Minister Melaku Alebel said.

In his opening speech at the 22nd Annual General Assembly of the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Manufacturers Association today, the minister noted that the manufacturing sector has seen a remarkable transformation over the past seven years.

 

Melaku in particular highlighted Ethiopia’s growing ability to produce medicines and medical equipment, contributing to meaningful sectoral progress.

According to him, the reform era has created a conducive environment, with significant improvements in infrastructure such as electricity and road networks. 

Health State Minister Dereje Duguma reinforced the government’s commitment to local production and utilization of medicines and healthcare supplies.

 

He said the government recognizes the importance of accelerating innovation and scaling up production, not only to meet domestic demand but also as a platform to export beyond Ethiopia’s borders.

Local production has grown from under 10 percent to over 45 percent in the last three to four years, elevating the sector’s market size to more than 40 billion Birr, the minister added.

World Bank Program Leader for Human Development in Ethiopia and neighboring countries, Sherin Varkey, emphasized that the local pharmaceutical industry is pivotal to achieving health security and sovereignty.

 

“Healthcare and value-added manufacturing are critical sectors, and the local pharmaceutical industry fits in both areas.” 

According to Varkey, local pharmaceutical manufacturing could generate nearly 50,000 additional jobs across Ethiopia over the next decade under the best-case scenario.

Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Manufacturers Association President Daniel Waktole credited government incentives and support for enabling the industry to sustain growth and urged continued collaboration between the government and the stakeholders to expand the progress of the sector.

 

Africa CDC Local Manufacturing Coordinator Abebe Genetu praised Ethiopia’s efforts as a model for the continent.

He further pointed out the importance of strengthening Africa’s healthcare supply chain and manufacturing capacity to improve health outcomes and create employment opportunities for youth.

According to the Coordinator, Africa CDC supports efforts to enhance technical skills and financing for African health products manufacturers and recognizes the sector’s critical role in achieving local manufacturing targets.

 

The 22nd Annual General Assembly of the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Manufacturers Association was held under the theme,  "Turning Milestone into Momentum: Unleashing Ethiopia's Health Products Manufacturing Potential for Africa and Beyond".

During the assembly, participants discussed challenges such as quality assurance, workforce development, technology bottlenecks, and the need to strengthen human resource capacity.

The event ended with government and industry leaders pledging to sustain the momentum, increase investments, and establish Ethiopia as a top health product manufacturing hub in Africa.