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Zambia’s first pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Lusaka, a milestone aimed at reducing dependency on imported medicines and strengthening the country’s healthcare system. Developed in partnership with India’s Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, the plant will produce over 750 essential drugs, including cancer treatments, while complying with international quality standards. The initiative is expected to boost national health security, create jobs, and position Zambia as a regional pharmaceutical hub in Southern Africa.
President Hakainde Hichilema has officially launched the construction of Zambia’s first-ever pharmaceutical manufacturing facility; a landmark initiative aimed at transforming the country’s healthcare sector and boosting local industrial capacity. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone and represents a significant step towards Zambia’s long-term goal of achieving medical self-sufficiency.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Minister of Youth, Sport, and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, President Hichilema underscored the strategic importance of the new facility. The plant, developed in partnership with India’s Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited, will have the capacity to produce over 750 essential medicines, including specialized drugs such as cancer treatments—many of which are currently imported at high cost.
The President emphasized that local production will not only reduce Zambia’s heavy reliance on foreign pharmaceuticals but will also drastically cut costs, enhance the availability of critical medications, and improve national health security. He also highlighted the project’s broader economic benefits, including job creation, innovation stimulation, and positioning Zambia as a regional pharmaceutical hub in Southern Africa.
The development aligns with the government’s broader agenda of promoting universal health coverage, industrialisation, and innovation across strategic sectors.
Speaking at the event, Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Managing Director and Founder, Sandeep Jain, affirmed his company’s commitment to bringing world-class pharmaceutical technology and standards to Zambia. He stressed that all medicines produced at the plant will comply with international quality and safety regulations, ensuring both domestic and regional markets have access to affordable and reliable medical products. Jain also praised Zambia’s favourable investment environment, noting the partnership reflects Akums’ long-term confidence in the country’s growth potential.
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Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, added that the facility will play a critical role in strengthening Zambia’s medical supply chain. By producing medicines domestically, the Ministry will be better equipped to maintain consistent stock levels, especially for chronic and life-threatening conditions such as cancer. Dr. Lishimpi also noted that the plant supports the government’s ongoing health sector reforms, which aim to enhance efficiency, eliminate drug shortages, and ensure quality across all health facilities.
Once operational, the pharmaceutical plant is expected to serve not only Zambia but also neighbouring countries, reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in regional healthcare innovation and supply.
