NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 28 — Kenya is targeting local production of at least half of its essential health products by 2030 as the government moves to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical security.

📻 Breaking It Down

The target is contained in the 2026–2030 Health Products and Technologies Local Manufacturing Strategy, which seeks to expand domestic pharmaceutical production while strengthening regulatory oversight and access to quality medicines.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the strategy is part of broader measures to build a more resilient health system and reduce Kenya’s vulnerability to disruptions in the global supply of medicines and other health products.

The push comes against the backdrop of heavy dependence on imports across the continent, with Africa currently importing more than 70 per cent of the health products it consumes, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

📌 What You Need to Know

At the opening of the sixth PharmaReg AfriSummit 2026, Duale outlined measures Kenya is taking to expand domestic manufacturing and strengthen regulatory cooperation across Africa.

“13 new pharmaceutical companies have commenced operations in Kenya, with some already producing medicines and other health products for export,” MoH said,

The government said 13 new pharmaceutical companies have commenced operations in Kenya, with some already producing medicines and other health products for export.

The expansion is expected to strengthen local supply chains while creating opportunities for Kenyan manufacturers to serve regional markets.

Alongside the manufacturing drive, Kenya is stepping up surveillance of medicines and other health products in the market.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has intensified market surveillance, with the Ministry saying more than 2,200 substandard, falsified and non-compliant products have been removed from the market.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya