Kenya Steps Up Local Pharmaceutical Production to Boost Health Security
At the same time, about 85 per cent of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities on the continent are concentrated in only eight countries.
Kenya is expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce reliance on imported health products and strengthen preparedness for health emergencies. Photo: Ministry of Health.
By Robert Mutasi
Kenya is stepping up efforts to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing as the government seeks to reduce reliance on imported health products and strengthen the country’s preparedness for health emergencies.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said local production is central to improving access to quality medicines and other health products while building a more resilient health system in Kenya and across Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the sixth PharmaReg AfriSummit 2026, Duale said Africa remains heavily dependent on imported health products, exposing countries to supply disruptions and other challenges in accessing essential medicines.
According to the Health Ministry, Africa currently imports more than 70 per cent of the health products it consumes.
At the same time, about 85 per cent of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities on the continent are concentrated in only eight countries.Duale said Kenya was working to change this situation through its 2026–2030 Health Products and Technologies Local Manufacturing Strategy.
The strategy targets local production of at least 50 per cent of the country’s essential health products, with the government seeking to create an environment that supports investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing.Thirteen new pharmaceutical companies have already commenced operations in Kenya, according to the ministry.
Some of the firms have started manufacturing products for export, signalling growing capacity within the country’s pharmaceutical sector.The government is also strengthening regulation and market surveillance to ensure that locally produced and imported health products meet required safety and quality standards.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is working to advance Kenya’s regulatory system towards World Health Organization Maturity Level 3.
The regulator has also removed more than 2,200 substandard, falsified and non-compliant products from the market through its surveillance activities.
The measures are intended to protect patients from unsafe medicines while strengthening confidence in Kenya’s pharmaceutical industry.
The developments were highlighted during the five-day PharmaReg AfriSummit 2026, which is being held under the theme, “Building the Bridge of Health.”
The summit has brought together more than 450 health professionals, regulators, pharmaceutical industry representatives and development partners from Africa and other parts of the world.
Discussions at the meeting are focusing on pharmaceutical regulation, local manufacturing and strategies for expanding access to health products as countries work towards Universal Health Coverage.
The summit also provides a platform for regulators and industry players to examine ways of strengthening cooperation and improving the movement of quality-assured health products across African markets.
Among those attending the summit are Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, AfriSummit Chairperson Dr Mona Moussli, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa Himanshu Raj, PPB Chairperson Dr John Munyu, PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Waqo Ejersa.
Kenya’s push for increased local pharmaceutical production comes as African countries continue to seek greater capacity to manufacture essential medicines and reduce vulnerabilities associated with dependence on external supply chains.
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