Kenya steps up drive to cut reliance on imported medical supplies
The healthcare sector in Kenya is expected to move closer toward self-reliance as regional manufacturers, regulators, and investors gather at a forthcoming continental summit aimed at expanding local pharmaceutical production and reducing dependence on imported medical supplies. This progress is in line with both national and continental policy objectives. It follows Kenya’s presidential…
Kenya is accelerating efforts to reduce its reliance on imported medical supplies, with regional manufacturers, regulators, and investors convening at an upcoming continental summit. This initiative aligns with both national and continental policy goals, following President's directive for Kenya to produce at least 50% of essential health products locally by 2026.
The Ministry of Health's Local Manufacturing Strategy 2026-2030 aims to enable local pharmaceutical companies to progress beyond basic fill-finish operations into more complex manufacturing. The summit, set to host the third African Healthcare Manufacturing Trade Exhibition and Conference (AHMTEC) 2026, will focus on regulatory harmonization, regional market integration, and targeted capital investments to support cross-border trade in East Africa.
The summit will also emphasize harmonizing regional regulatory standards through the African Medicines Agency, simplifying product approvals, and increasing regional capacity for active pharmaceutical ingredient production and diagnostics. AHMTEC, co-hosted by the Federation of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations, Vizuri Health Dynamics, and EPMSMISA, will provide a platform for manufacturers, regulators, policymakers, and investors to forge new regional trade partnerships and address existing industry challenges.
Written by urgent.news from KBC's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
