Tanzania has unveiled a wide-ranging initiative aimed at transforming its pharmaceutical sector, with the ambition of becoming a major center for medicine manufacturing in East Africa. The strategy is designed to reduce heavy reliance on imported drugs while strengthening regional supply chains and improving access to affordable healthcare products.
Currently, the vast majority of medicines and medical equipment used in the country are sourced from abroad, placing a significant burden on public finances and exposing the health system to external supply shocks.
Reducing Imports Through Local Production
Government figures show that Tanzania imports more than four-fifths of its pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, spending close to one billion dollars annually. Officials say boosting domestic manufacturing is essential to reverse this trend and retain value within the national economy.
By encouraging local production, authorities hope to ensure more reliable access to essential medicines, reduce foreign exchange pressure, and create skilled jobs in manufacturing, quality control, and logistics.
Challenges Facing the Industry
Experts caution that building a competitive pharmaceutical sector will not be straightforward. Key obstacles include limited access to capital, high production costs, regulatory complexity, and gaps in technical expertise. Reliable electricity, modern laboratories, and strong quality assurance systems will be critical to meeting international standards.
Specialists also stress the importance of supply chain efficiency, from sourcing raw materials to distributing finished products, if local manufacturers are to compete with established global suppliers.
Regional Impact and Investment Potential
The government believes that successful pharmaceutical production could extend benefits beyond Tanzania’s borders. By supplying neighboring countries, local manufacturers could help stabilize medicine prices and reduce shortages across East Africa.
To attract investors, authorities have established an Investment Acceleration Taskforce tasked with converting policy goals into commercially viable projects. Analysts say its effectiveness will depend on clear incentives, predictable regulation, and strong public-private cooperation.
If these elements align, Tanzania’s push into pharmaceuticals could reshape the region’s healthcare supply landscape, turning the country from a major importer into a key producer of essential medicines.
