Until recently, local manufacturing of rapid diagnostic test kits was virtually nonexistent, with nearly 100 per cent of the rapid diagnostic test kits used in Nigeria and Africa imported from other regions of the world. This was largely due to the high barriers to entry, including strict quality requirements, expertise gaps, and the prohibitive costs of obtaining WHO Prequalification (WHO PQ), a process which can take several years. This situation persisted until Codix Group, through one of its subsidiaries, Colexa Biosensor Ltd, successfully achieved Change Notification (CN) approval from WHOto package prequalified rapid diagnostic test kits at its factory in Nigeria.
In this exclusive interview with Moses Dike, pharmaceutical industrialist and Group Managing Director of Codix Group, Mr Sammy Ogunjimi sheds more light on this landmark achievement while also revealing ambitious plans to advance the fields of biosensors and nanotechnology in Nigeria through multilevel collaborations.
Excerpts:
Can you briefly introduce yourself and describe your role within Codix Group?
My name is Sammy Ogunjimi, and I am the founder and CEO of Codix Pharma Limited. My journey in the pharmaceutical industry began with extensive training abroad, followed by a career at Merck Pharmaceuticals (the German Merck), where I served as a senior regional business manager in London.
Driven by a vision to make a lasting impact on healthcare in Africa, I established Codix Pharma Limited. Over the years, we have expanded our presence across multiple countries and evolved into Codix Group, which now comprises several subsidiaries. Our mission remains focused on delivering innovative healthcare solutions that improve patient outcomes across the continent.
Tell us more about Codix Group and its subsidiaries, including some of your major products and their uses.
Codix Group started as an importation, distribution, and marketing company, initially representing multinational brands and later developing its own branded products under private labels (BL) and original equipment manufacturing (OEM) models. From the outset, our focus was on cardiometabolic care—diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease—reflecting my background and expertise in the UK. We began with pharmaceutical drugs but soon identified a critical gap in effective diagnostics in Nigeria. This realisation led us to expand into medical diagnostics, initially for cardiometabolic diseases and subsequently for communicable diseases.
Today, Codix Group is widely recognised in Nigeria more for our medical devices—particularly in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test kits and rapid diagnostic test kits—than for pharmaceuticals. However, our long-term vision has always been backward integration: to localise production and reduce dependence on imports. This vision spurred the establishment of our manufacturing subsidiaries, beginning with Colexa Biosensor and now the upcoming Codix Bio, which we will be commissioning soon. This is just the beginning, as we plan to establish three to four more manufacturing subsidiaries within the group to further expand our local production capabilities.
Beyond Nigeria, we have always envisioned Codix as a pan-African company. Africa is a vast and interconnected market with similar healthcare needs across countries. Recognising this, we strategically expanded into multiple African nations, starting with English-speaking West Africa. We established branches in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and have since grown our footprint to 12 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. This expansion aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which presents enormous opportunities for regional trade.
A key part of our expansion strategy is ensuring that our manufacturing efforts in Nigeria can efficiently supply the broader African market. Rather than relying solely on third-party distributors, we have opted to establish local branches and partnerships in these countries. This approach grants us direct market insights, ensures better quality control, and allows seamless integration into local healthcare ecosystems. For instance, in countries like Ghana, we work closely with local health authorities to ensure our diagnostic products are included in national testing algorithms, thereby enhancing accessibility and adoption.
Our success in these markets is built on strong local partnerships while maintaining the Codix name for consistency and quality assurance. Our teams provide technical expertise, training, and product support to ensure that healthcare professionals using our products receive the necessary knowledge and guidance. Since entering Ghana in 2013–2014, Sierra Leone in 2017–2018, and The Gambia more recently, our presence has grown steadily, proving the effectiveness of this model.
As we continue to expand, we are now venturing into Francophone Africa, which presents both new opportunities and challenges. However, with our deep understanding of market entry strategies and healthcare system integration, we are confident in replicating our success across the region.
Ultimately, while Nigeria remains our primary market, Africa is our broader focus. Our goal is to build a strong, sustainable healthcare ecosystem that not only improves access to quality medical solutions but also strengthens the continent’s self-reliance in healthcare manufacturing and distribution.
Codix recently received a successful Change Notification Approval (CNA) from WHO to locally package its prequalified HIV rapid diagnostic test kit. What is the significance of this milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, and what motivated you to pursue this approval?
This milestone is a major breakthrough for us at Codix and for Nigeria’s healthcare sector as a whole. Until now, nearly 100 per cent of the rapid diagnostic test kits used in Africa were imported from regions such as Europe, North America, and Asia. Local manufacturing was virtually nonexistent, primarily due to high barriers to entry, including strict quality requirements, expertise gaps, and the prohibitive costs associated with obtaining WHO Prequalification (WHO PQ), a process that can take several years.
Historically, African companies have struggled to meet these requirements, making it difficult for locally made products to qualify for procurement by global organisations such as the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and USAID. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Africa’s vulnerability in securing test kits and vaccines, there was a renewed global push to strengthen local production capacity across the continent. Major stakeholders, including WHO, PEPFAR, and the Global Fund, identified key challenges—technology transfer, financing, and product uptake—and committed to supporting manufacturers who could demonstrate quality compliance.
One of the most critical commitments was the pledge to purchase at least 15 million HIV test kits from African manufacturers by 2025, provided they met WHO PQ standards. However, given the lengthy certification timeline for new manufacturing facilities, an interim solution was introduced: local packaging and assembly of already WHO-prequalified products.
At Codix, we recognised this as a unique opportunity and leveraged our existing partnership with SD Biosensor, whose Standard Q HIV test kits were already WHO-prequalified. Since our manufacturing facility was already ISO 13485-certified, we pursued WHO’s Change Notification Approval (CNA) to package these test kits locally.
The process was rigorous, but we successfully secured Africa’s first-ever WHO CNA for a rapid diagnostic test kit in 2024. Previously, SD Biosensor had only obtained CNA in India—making our achievement a landmark moment for Nigeria and for the entire continent. This approval establishes Nigeria as a key player in the global supply chain for diagnostic kits. It demonstrates that local companies can meet the highest international standards, paving the way for greater investment in local manufacturing.
However, after we achieved CNA, USAID unexpectedly withdrew from its commitment to procure the 15 million test kits. This created uncertainty, but the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health is actively working to bridge this gap, ensuring that locally packaged, WHO-prequalified test kits are procured and integrated into national healthcare programmes.
Codix has consistently led innovation in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. We were the first to launch a WHO-prequalified malaria test kit in Nigeria; first to facilitate the establishment of national diabetes management guidelines in Nigeria; first to introduce HbA1c standardisation for diabetes management in Nigeria; first in Sub-Saharan Africa to assemble blood glucose meters and manufacture test strips (second only to Algeria on the continent); and first in Africa to secure WHO CNA for locally packaged rapid diagnostic test kits. Right now, we are on track to be the first in Nigeria to manufacture a WHO-prequalified HIV test kit (Haraka Q) by 2026.
Our CNA approval is a significant step towards achieving full-scale local production. While Haraka Q, our fully manufactured HIV test kit, is still undergoing WHO PQ processes and is expected to be ready by 2026, this milestone brings us closer to realising our vision: a Nigeria that is not merely a consumer, but also a producer of world-class medical diagnostics for Africa and beyond.
With the CAN secured, what are the next steps in strengthening Codix Group’s position in the Nigerian healthcare space?
The Change Notification Approval (CNA) was a strategic stopgap measure, utilising the Colexa factory, but Codix Group is now advancing its long-term vision with the establishment of a larger, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ogun State. This new facility will have significantly greater capacity.
A key aspect of this expansion is a full technology transfer partnership with SD Biosensor, aimed at enhancing local expertise in diagnostic manufacturing. Beyond production, Codix Group is working to create a self-sustaining ecosystem by localising the production of accessories currently imported from Asia. This initiative will not only lower production costs but also reduce the overall cost of diagnostic testing, making healthcare more affordable for Nigerians.
Additionally, this move will generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities, while also providing hands-on industrial training for students and professionals. It aligns with Codix Group’s commitment to capacity building, exemplified by its collaboration with Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) to introduce courses in Biosensors and Nanotechnology. The new facility will offer a practical learning environment for aspiring scientists in these fields.
Looking ahead, Codix Group plans to establish an in-house R&D laboratory within the factory to accelerate innovation in diagnostic solutions. This will enable the company to gradually reduce reliance on imported components and move towards full end-to-end manufacturing in Africa. In the event of future pandemics, Nigeria—and the broader African region—will be better equipped to respond swiftly, manufacturing test kits locally rather than depending solely on imported finished products. By achieving full-scale local production, Codix Group is not merely strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare sector but also positioning Africa as a key player in global diagnostic manufacturing.
How would you assess the current state of healthcare development in Nigeria? What key measures should the government and stakeholders take to curb brain drain and improve healthcare infrastructure?
The state of healthcare development in Nigeria has declined significantly over the years, with challenges such as brain drain, outdated technology, and inadequate infrastructure. While these issues did not originate with the current administration, this government has taken a more strategic approach by prioritising the localisation of pharmaceutical products. In addition, it has introduced several positive initiatives, such as the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and the Presidential Executive Order exempting specified pharmaceutical machinery, equipment, goods, and accessories from tariffs and excise duties.
The over-reliance on imported medical products has stifled industrial growth, reducing Nigeria to a trading economy rather than a manufacturing hub. Encouraging local production is critical, not only for building technical expertise but also for retaining skilled professionals. When healthcare and life sciences graduates see practical applications for their knowledge within Nigeria, they are more likely to remain and contribute to the country’s development. The commitment of both the government and the private sector to supporting local manufacturing through initiatives such as local content policies is a step in the right direction. However, beyond policy, the real impact lies in implementation—ensuring that locally produced medical goods are actually procured and paid for promptly.
One of the major barriers to healthcare manufacturing in Nigeria is financing. The high cost of borrowing makes it nearly impossible for local manufacturers to remain competitive. Commercial loans come with interest rates as high as 34%, while even government-backed loans, such as those from the Bank of Industry (BOI), range between 9% and 11%. Often, banks require a blend of BOI and commercial loans, pushing the effective interest rate to between 15% and 20%, rendering local production unsustainable. In contrast, global competitors access funding at significantly lower rates—between 1% and 5%—giving them an unfair advantage.
To truly support local manufacturers, the government must introduce innovative financial structures, including single-digit interest loans, longer repayment periods, and risk-mitigation measures such as government-backed guarantees. Additionally, many aspiring manufacturers lack substantial collateral, making it difficult to secure funding. A structured financing mechanism tailored to healthcare manufacturers would not only stimulate industrial growth but also strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector, reduce dependence on imports, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
By addressing these key issues—finance, local production, and guaranteed market access—Nigeria can reverse brain drain, improve healthcare infrastructure, and position itself as a leader in medical manufacturing across Africa.
Considering your strategic alliances and partnerships, where do you envision Codix Group in the next few years?
Codix Group is already gaining recognition beyond Nigeria, establishing itself as a key player in the African healthcare landscape. In the coming years, we envision ourselves as a leading force in healthcare across the continent—not merely as a pharmaceutical company but as a comprehensive health solutions provider.
The intersection of technology and medicine is reshaping the industry, and Codix is at the forefront of this transformation. Our approach extends beyond pharmaceuticals; we are leveraging digital platforms to drive awareness, accessibility, and innovation in diagnostics and healthcare delivery.
Our ambition is clear: to become the number one diagnostic company in Africa. Given that Nigeria is one of the largest and most complex healthcare markets on the continent, achieving leadership here would bring us significantly closer to continental dominance. We recognise the trailblazers who have laid the foundation, and we are committed to pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and redefining what is possible in African healthcare.
