Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a leading pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, has announced a ground-breaking $230 million investment in a new Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing plant. This strategic move is set to significantly enhance local drug production, reduce reliance on imported pharmaceutical ingredients, and further strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The new API plant, located in Sagamu, Ogun State, is the first of its kind in both Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, positioning Emzor as a trailblazer in pharmaceutical manufacturing on the continent. The facility, expected to start operation later this year, is expected to increase Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in drug production, a key step in improving the availability of high-quality medicines for Nigerians and the broader African market.
Speaking during a media interaction and facility tour, Dr. Stella Okoli, OON, Founder and Group Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical, expressed excitement over the significant milestone, emphasising the plant’s role in bolstering the country’s pharmaceutical capacity. “This $230 million investment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s healthcare and economic growth. By establishing this state-of-the-art API plant, Emzor is ensuring that Nigeria becomes more self-reliant in the production of essential medicines. This is a critical step in ensuring that Nigerians have access to high-quality, life-saving drugs at affordable price,” said Dr. Okoli.
The new facility is expected to provide a wide range of pharmaceutical ingredients that are currently imported into Nigeria, including those used in the production of antimalarial drugs, antibiotics, and HIV/AIDS antiretrovirals. By reducing reliance on imported APIs, Emzor aims to lower production costs and make medicines more affordable for Nigerians. “Nigeria has faced challenges with the availability of essential medicines, particularly due to the high cost of imports,” said Uzoma Ezeoke, Executive Director of General Duties, HR & Finance at Emzor. “This API facility will drastically reduce our dependence on foreign imports and ensure that critical medicines are produced locally, creating a more sustainable healthcare system for our people.”
The plant’s establishment is expected to have a significant economic impact, not only by improving healthcare delivery but also by creating new jobs and opportunities for local suppliers and distributors. Emzor currently employs over 2,000 individuals, with many more in secondary and indirect employment across its value chain. The new API plant is set to further increase these numbers, contributing to the economic development of the region and beyond. “This investment is not just about expanding our production capacity,” Dr. Okoli added. “It is about creating jobs, empowering local communities, and improving access to essential healthcare. The new facility will provide numerous opportunities for Nigerians to be part of the growing pharmaceutical sector, and we are committed to ensuring that our workforce benefits from this expansion.”
Emzor’s $230 million investment comes at a time when the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector faces numerous challenges, including high operating costs, inflation and the floating of the naira. Despite these challenges, Emzor has maintained its commitment to keeping medicines affordable and accessible. “We are absorbing as many of these costs as possible to ensure that Nigerians continue to have access to high-quality medicines,” said Ezeoke. It is critical that drug prices remain affordable for the average Nigerian, and we are working tirelessly to make that a reality.”
Emzor’s efforts to combat the prevalence of counterfeit and substandard drugs have also been a major focus, with the company implementing rigorous quality control and monitoring measures across its supply chain. The new API plant will further strengthen these efforts, ensuring that only the highest-quality ingredients are used in the production of medicines. ‘‘Our investment in this facility is not just about expanding production; it’s about ensuring that the drugs we produce are safe, effective and trustworthy. We will continue to monitor and safeguard our supply chain to protect Nigerian consumers from the dangers of counterfeit drugs,” Ezeoke explained.
The company’s latest initiative aligns with its ongoing mission to improve healthcare access and affordability in Nigeria, while also contributing to the broader growth of Africa’s pharmaceutical sector. Dr. Okoli expressed confidence that the new API plant will be instrumental in achieving these goals. “Emzor’s story is one of resilience, innovation and commitment to the well-being of Nigerians. We are proud of our achievements, but we know there is still more work to be done. This API plant is just the beginning of our continued effort to ensure that every Nigerian has access to the best medicines available,”she said.