The stage is set for the 2026 Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo (NPMN) as the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) intensifies efforts to position the country as a leading hub for local drug manufacturing in Africa. The leadership of PMG-MAN says this year’s gathering will serve as a major platform to drive conversations around pharmaceutical self-sufficiency, regional competitiveness and investment in indigenous drug production.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos ahead of the event, the Managing Director of May & Baker Nigeria Plc and chairman of the Exhibition Planning Committee, Patrick Ajah, said the expo aligns with the vision of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) to achieve 70 per cent local production of medicines. Ajah noted that the annual exhibition has become a strategic platform for promoting Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity while supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported medicines.
According to him, the expo will prioritise indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers and encourage partnerships capable of strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare value chain. “This expo is more than an exhibition; it is a statement of intent for the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria and Africa. Our goal is to create an ecosystem where local manufacturers can thrive and meet the healthcare needs of Nigerians sustainably,” he said.
Ajah explained that only foreign companies whose products and services directly support local manufacturing, including machinery, equipment and raw materials not currently produced in Nigeria, would participate in the exhibition. He added that the local pharmaceutical sector is already witnessing remarkable growth, with new manufacturing plants emerging across the country and increasing interest from companies seeking membership of PMG-MAN. “The momentum we are seeing today is evidence that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry is evolving positively. More investors are showing confidence in local manufacturing, and the expo will provide an opportunity to showcase these achievements to the world,” Ajah stated.
He further stressed that recent global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions have underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical production. Ajah said PMG-MAN is championing a transition that would see Nigeria move from importing most of its medicines to producing at least 70 per cent locally, similar to pharmaceutical powerhouses such as India and China.
The Executive Secretary of PMG-MAN, Frank Muonemeh, announced that the 2026 Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo will hold on 28 and 29 September at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Lagos.
Muonemeh disclosed that over 200 exhibiting companies and nearly 10,000 pharmaceutical, healthcare and trade professionals from across Africa are expected at the event, making it one of the continent’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing gatherings. He revealed that the theme for this year’s edition is: “Regional Manufacturing: Advancing Africa’s Pharma and Life Science Sovereignty through Localisation.”
According to him, the expo will provide a robust platform for industry leaders, policymakers, investors and healthcare stakeholders to explore opportunities in regional manufacturing, innovation and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He added that the Ministers of Health as well as Trade and Industry are expected to formally declare the exhibition open.
Industry stakeholders say the 2026 Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo is expected to deepen collaboration across Africa’s pharmaceutical sector while accelerating Nigeria’s journey toward medicine security and healthcare independence.
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