Inside Africure Pharmaceuticals: Building a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Leader in West Africa

In this section of the interview, Harid Anad, Director General of Africure Pharmaceuticals, discusses the company’s history, growth, and contribution to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy and healthcare sector. He explains that Africure Pharmaceuticals was inaugurated in March 2020 and, despite facing significant challenges in its early years, including supply chain disruptions, raw material shortages, and delayed government payments, the company has experienced substantial growth following new investment and operational improvements.

Today, Africure Pharmaceuticals has become one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in French-speaking West Africa, with an annual production capacity of 1 billion tablets, 450 million capsules, and 150 million syrups. The company has significantly increased production levels and is working towards fully utilising its manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand for locally produced medicines.

Harid Anad also highlights the company’s important role in employment creation and workforce development. Africure Pharmaceuticals currently employs around 130 people, with approximately 95% of its workforce consisting of Ivorians. Through extensive training and skills development, local employees have become fully capable of managing factory operations, demonstrating the company’s commitment to building local expertise.

In addition, Africure Pharmaceuticals contributes to reducing Côte d’Ivoire’s reliance on imported pharmaceutical products by producing affordable medicines locally. At full capacity, the company expects to supply around 10% of the country’s pharmaceutical demand, helping strengthen healthcare access, support economic development, and advance the growth of the pharmaceutical industry in Côte d’Ivoire.