In a determined push to achieve self-sufficiency in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, stakeholders from across the healthcare value chain, including industry leaders, regulators, policymakers, and development partners, are brainstorming at the 3rd Pharma West Africa Conference holding at the Landmark Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos. Discussions have centred on urgent, high-level strategies for strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains, scaling domestic production capacity, and reducing the region’s dependence on imported medicines, reinforcing a growing consensus that West Africa can no longer afford to outsource its healthcare security.
With the theme, “Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Strengthening for Self-Sufficiency in West Africa,” the conference has drawn a diverse coalition of voices committed to reshaping the region’s healthcare future. From government officials to private sector leaders, multilateral agencies, and regulatory authorities, participants are united by a shared recognition that access to quality, affordable medicines remains one of Africa’s most persistent and complex challenges, one that has been repeatedly exposed by global supply chain disruptions, currency volatility, and overreliance on imports.
Chairman of Pharma West Africa, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, set the tone with a people-centred vision of the industry’s responsibility, framing the gathering not merely as a policy dialogue but as a moral and developmental imperative. “Pharma West Africa is about the mother who deserves the best healthcare. It is about the child who deserves a bright future through quality and affordable healthcare,” he said, drawing attention to the human consequences of systemic gaps in medicine access.
Highlighting what distinguishes the conference, Yakasai pointed to the breadth and depth of participation. “What makes the conference outstanding is the diversity of voices—regulators, government, policymakers,” he noted, describing the platform as a rare convergence of actors with both the authority and capacity to drive meaningful reform. He challenged stakeholders to rise above routine engagements and commit to measurable outcomes. “Let us commit to innovation and digital transformation. Let us move beyond conversation to action and implementation. Let this event be remembered as a turning point,” he said, signalling a shift from rhetoric to results.
The call for a homegrown pharmaceutical revolution was echoed by Delese Mimi Darko, Director-General of the African Medicines Agency, who stressed that regulatory strength will be central to any meaningful transformation. According to her, Africa must build systems that not only enable production but also guarantee the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines. “Africa must work to provide quality medicines for its patients through a strong regulatory function. Coordination of efforts in ensuring cutting-edge pharmaceutical production is important,” she said. She further noted that weak regulatory alignment across countries continues to hinder scale, limit competitiveness, and slow down the continent’s journey toward pharmaceutical independence.
Similarly, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba, reinforced the urgency of domestic production, describing it as both an economic and public health necessity. “We must produce our own medicines to be able to attain self-sufficiency in local pharmaceutical manufacturing,” he said, calling for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, manufacturers, and financiers. He emphasized that building local capacity would not only improve access but also create jobs, stimulate industrial growth, and enhance the region’s resilience against global shocks.
From a regulatory standpoint, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, represented by Dr Amina Omar, director of Inspection, Monitoring and Quality Assurance, underscored the timeliness of the conference theme in light of current realities. “This year’s theme deeply resonates with the current needs of our region. We recognisae the pivotal role the pharmaceutical industry plays in healthcare across Africa,” she said, noting that strengthening regulatory oversight, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and supporting local manufacturers are critical steps toward achieving sustainable progress.
Beyond the speeches, a recurring theme across panel discussions and technical sessions has been the need to rethink the entire pharmaceutical value chain—from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to distribution, regulation, and last-mile delivery. Participants highlighted the importance of backward integration, investment in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, and the deployment of digital technologies to improve transparency, traceability, and efficiency across the supply chain.
There is also growing recognition that no single country can achieve pharmaceutical self-sufficiency in isolation. Regional collaboration, harmonised regulations, pooled procurement mechanisms, and cross-border partnerships are increasingly being seen as essential components of a viable strategy. In this regard, the conference is serving as a platform not just for dialogue but for aligning national ambitions with regional frameworks that can deliver scale and sustainability.
As deliberations continue, a clear consensus is emerging: the path to medicine security in West Africa lies in coordinated action, sustained investment, policy consistency, and a willingness to embrace innovation. For many participants, the conference is more than another industry gathering—it is fast becoming a rallying point for a homegrown medicines revolution that could redefine healthcare access across the region.
If the commitments voiced in Lagos are matched with concrete policies, financing, and institutional support, stakeholders believe West Africa could significantly reduce its reliance on imported medicines, strengthen its healthcare systems, and position itself as a competitive force in the global pharmaceutical value chain. More importantly, it could mark the beginning of a new era—one in which access to quality medicines is no longer a privilege dependent on external supply, but a guaranteed outcome of a resilient, self-sustaining regional industry.
