Quick Read:
- The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, PVAC, Afrimedical and Abbott reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening healthcare systems through local capacity building, innovation and sustainable partnerships
- The collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to bolster domestic capacity, reduce dependence on imported healthcare commodities, expand local healthcare manufacturing and improve access to quality diagnostic solutions
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Afrimedical, a division of Mikano International Limited, and Abbott, Tuesday, marked an important milestone in advancing healthcare localization in Nigeria.
The collaboration convened under PVAC’s mandate to unlock Nigeria’s healthcare value chain underscores a shared commitment to strengthening healthcare access, supporting local capacity building and contributing to sustainable health system development in Nigeria.
It brings together public and private stakeholders to strengthen domestic healthcare manufacturing capabilities and improve access to quality diagnostics solutions.
As African countries continue to prioritize healthcare resilience and local production, this initiative contributes to broader regional and global agendas, including the African Union’s focus on health product manufacturing, the Global Fund’s sustainability and transition objectives, and global efforts to expand equitable access to point-of-care diagnostics through stronger, integrated health systems.
Under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s healthcare transformation agenda is built on the foundation of trong public-private partnership, strengthening local capacity, building technical expertise and improving access to essential healthcare solutions remain critical priorities for the Ministry.
The Ministry welcomes collaborations that contribute meaningfully to these goals.
In his remarks during a reception in Lagos, Rick Swart, U.S. consul general, highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and investment in strengthening healthcare systems. Consul General Swart noted that linking American private sector technical expertise with the talented human resources that exist in Nigeria can lead to improvements in the health of all citizens.
“Abbott’s decision to invest and deepen its footprint in Nigeria underscores the United States commitment to both the immense potential for transformative healthcare partnerships in Nigeria and opening the door to key markets for American companies on the continent,” Consul General Swart added.
Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, emphasized the broader impact of the partnership:
“This is a strong example of the kind of partnerships needed to accelerate healthcare industrialization in Nigeria. Localization is not only about infrastructure, but also about building ecosystems that enable innovation, strengthen supply chains and create long-term economic and health impact.”
As part of the collaboration, Afrimedical will play an important role in supporting the development of local manufacturing capabilities.
The manufacturing facility, located at Afrimedical’s site in Ogun State, is expected to begin phased operations following completion of regulatory evaluations and approvals.
“This partnership represents an important step in building a stronger and more self-reliant healthcare ecosystem in Nigeria. At Afrimedical, we believe sustainable progress is driven by strategic investments, technology transfer, and meaningful partnerships” said Mr. Mofid Karameh, group chairman &CEO of Mikano International Limited. “Together, we are helping to strengthen local manufacturing capacity, improve healthcare access, and support the country’s long-term economic growth.”
Rabah Elsayed, divisional vice president, Commercial Operations at Abbott’s rapid diagnostics business, added:
“At Abbott, we are committed to helping people live healthier lives through access to quality healthcare technologies. We are proud to support this collaborative effort to strengthen healthcare systems in Nigeria, build local capacity and contribute to more resilient healthcare systems across the continent.”
This milestone reflects PVAC’s mandate in action coordinating government, industry and healthcare stakeholders to advance shared goals of improved access, stronger systems and sustainable healthcare development in Nigeria and across Africa.
