Egypt and Zambia are moving forward with plans to establish a joint pharmaceutical factory in Zambia, a project aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity to produce medicines and advancing industrial integration across the continent.
The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, head of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), representatives of the Egyptian Nile Valley Company, and executives from Zambia’s Pendulum Estates Ltd.
The talks, held in Cairo, form part of Egypt’s wider strategy to expand into African markets and build sustainable pharmaceutical partnerships.
The planned factory is designed to enhance regional pharmaceutical production by transferring Egyptian expertise and technology, fostering joint investment, and creating regulatory frameworks in partnership with African nations.
According to the EDA, the project will reinforce Egypt’s role as a regional hub for the pharmaceutical industry while supporting efforts to secure access to affordable, high-quality medicines across the continent.
“Supporting initiatives to localize the pharmaceutical industry within Africa is a strategic priority for the Egyptian Drug Authority,” Dr. El-Ghamrawy said.
“The African market remains one of the most important destinations for Egyptian pharmaceutical expansion in the coming years, which will directly benefit the health of African populations while advancing industrial development.”
Major General Mohamed Dabour, Chairman of Wadi El Nil Company, emphasized the significance of the partnership, calling it a “pivotal step” in Egypt’s plans to deepen its footprint in Africa and contribute to the localization of medicine manufacturing.
John Zulu, Chairman of Pendulum Estates Zambia, described the venture as a “qualitative leap” for Zambia’s healthcare system, noting it would provide high-quality pharmaceuticals to local patients while fostering broader health security.
Representatives from both companies praised the EDA for its technical expertise and regulatory support, which they said had elevated Egypt’s pharmaceutical industry regionally and globally.
They highlighted that EDA’s advisory role would be central to ensuring the project succeeds in improving drug availability in Zambia and bolstering health resilience across Africa.
The meeting included senior representatives from Pendulum Estates, including Bertha Musonda Chileshi, Lambi Crispin Mwanza, and Mpachi Mande, alongside Egyptian executives.
The project is positioned as a cornerstone in Egypt’s policy to drive regional industrial cooperation, enhance self-sufficiency in essential medicines, and promote equitable healthcare development across the continent.
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