Africure Pharmaceuticals Targets 10% of Côte d’Ivoire’s Pharmaceutical Demand Through Local Production

In this section of the interview, Harid Anad discusses Africure Pharmaceuticals’ rapid increase in production capacity, its contribution to Côte d’Ivoire’s pharmaceutical self sufficiency, and the company’s ambitious manufacturing expansion plans. Following improvements to its supply chain and investment from new ownership, the pharmaceutical plant has moved well beyond its previous 25 to 30% capacity utilisation, significantly increasing production and positioning itself as a major local pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Africure Pharmaceuticals is playing an increasingly important role in reducing Côte d’Ivoire’s dependence on imported medicines. Once operating at full annual capacity, the company estimates that it could supply approximately 10% of the country’s pharmaceutical demand, representing around €30 million of a market currently reliant on approximately €300 million worth of pharmaceutical imports.

Looking ahead, the company intends to maximise its existing manufacturing capacity by operating two full production shifts, equivalent to approximately 18 hours of production per day. This expansion is expected to create additional employment while increasing the availability of locally manufactured essential medicines. Harid Anad stresses that the COVID 19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly during supply chain disruptions when access to essential medicines such as paracetamol, antibiotics, and antimalarials can become critical.

Africure Pharmaceuticals is also investing in substantial new manufacturing infrastructure. The company has acquired 17,000 square metres of land in the Grand Bassam industrial zone for a new beta lactam manufacturing plant that will produce antibiotics such as amoxicillin. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026, with installation and regulatory approvals planned for 2027 and full production targeted for late 2027 or early 2028.

At the same time, Africure Pharmaceuticals is increasing its syrup manufacturing capacity from 12 million to 30 million bottles annually through two new liquid filling plants. The company is also constructing two 2,500 square metre warehouses to expand medicine storage capacity and strengthen emergency preparedness. Together, these investments underline Africure Pharmaceuticals’ ambition to expand local pharmaceutical production, strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s healthcare supply chain, and reduce the country’s long term reliance on imported medicines.