TZ pushes for local pharmaceutical production to cut import dependence

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has embarked on an ambitious industrial strategy aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in the production of medicines, vaccines and medical equipment, with a target of reducing dependence on imported health products by 85 per cent by 2030.

The initiative seeks to position the country as a leading pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing hub in Africa through major investments in modern health infrastructure, research and advanced technologies.

The announcement was made on Friday by Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the development of a pharmaceutical and medical equipment industrial cluster at Mloganzila in Dar es Salaam.

The event also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Germany’s international pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment supplier, Sartorius AG. Mr Mchengerwa described the initiative as a major shift from dependency to domestic production, innovation and technological ownership, saying it marks a new phase in Tanzania’s industrial transformation.

“Factories do not only construct buildings, they also build national capacity, knowledge, discipline and dignity,” he said. He noted that for many years African countries have remained heavily dependent on imported medicines, vaccines and health products, a situation that has contributed to shortages, high costs, quality concerns and supply chain disruptions during global crises such as Covid-19.

Mr Mchengerwa said the project is not only a health sector initiative, but also a matter of national security, economic development, industrial growth, science and economic diplomacy. He explained that pharmaceutical manufacturing requires specialised regulation and strict oversight, hence the government’s decision to adopt an industrial cluster model to ensure high standards of safety and quality.

“Pharmaceutical manufacturing is not an ordinary industrial activity. It requires specialised infrastructure, strong regulatory systems and strict adherence to national and international standards,” he said.

According to him, the cluster will not simply consist of factories, but a coordinated system designed to reduce production costs, improve quality and strengthen domestic capacity in the health sector. The minister commended the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) Mloganzila campus for allocating land for the project, saying the decision will strengthen cooperation in education, research and technology development.

He emphasised that true technology transfer goes beyond purchasing machinery, focusing instead on building local expertise capable of designing, improving and innovating solutions.

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“Real technology transfer is not achieved simply by purchasing machines, but by developing people capable of building, improving and redesigning those technologies,” he said.

Mr Mchengerwa also pledged continued collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and MUHAS to ensure the industrial cluster becomes a centre linking education, research, innovation and production.

He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership in promoting industrialisation and selfreliance, saying the health sector is now evolving into a key area for investment, innovation and economic growth.

“A nation that manufactures its own medicines protects the lives of its people, and a nation that owns health technology secures its future,” he said.

He also warned against pharmaceutical brokerage practices, urging stakeholders to instead invest in local manufacturing industries to support national production goals. A Member of Parliament for Kibamba Constituency and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Angellah Kairuki, said the investment would generate significant economic and social benefits for residents of Ubungo, Kibamba and the country at large.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, said success of the initiative depends on strong collaboration between government, private sector and development partners. He added that the progress achieved so far is the result of work by the Pharmaceutical Industrial Acceleration and Facilitation Taskforce (PIAT), which was established to speed up investment in the health sector.