Kenya Joins AfCFTA Pharmaceutical Initiative to Boost Local Drug Manufacturing

Kenya has joined the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan, aiming to raise local drug production from 30% to 60% of national demand by 2030. The Ministry of Health, in partnership with Universal Corporation and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), will establish regional pharma hubs in Nairobi and Mombasa. The initiative includes tariff-free import of active ingredients, harmonized regulatory standards, and R&D grants. Kenya currently spends Ksh90 billion annually on imported medicines. With AfCFTA, locally made antimalarials and antibiotics could enter 15 markets duty-free. The World Health Organization supports the move to enhance health security and reduce forex outflows.