Tanzania is seeking to transform itself from a major importer of medicines into a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, with the government investing in industrial parks designed to produce medicines, vaccines and medical equipment for both domestic and export markets.
At the centre of the strategy is a 400-acre pharmaceutical industrial park under development at Mloganzila in Dar es Salaam, part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader vision to strengthen local production and reduce dependence on imports.
The initiative comes as African countries seek to build health security following lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed the continent’s heavy reliance on imported medicines and medical supplies. One of the flagship projects is the upgraded TPI pharmaceutical plant in Arusha, which is being modernised to meet international manufacturing standards and secure World Health Organisation prequalification, enabling its products to compete in global markets.
Chief Government Pharmacist Daudi Msasi said maintaining international quality standards would be key to the sector’s success.
‘We want products manufactured in Tanzania to compete with those produced anywhere in the world. That is achievable if we maintain international standards,’ he said.
Economists say expanding local pharmaceutical production could reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves, create jobs, boost tax revenues and open new export markets.
One of the flagship projects is the upgraded TPI pharmaceutical plant in Arusha, which is being modernised to meet international manufacturing standards and secure World Health Organisation prequalification, enabling its products to compete in global markets.
Chief Government Pharmacist Daudi Msasi said maintaining international quality standards would be key to the sector’s success.
‘We want products manufactured in Tanzania to compete with those produced anywhere in the world. That is achievable if we maintain international standards,’ he said.
Economists say expanding local pharmaceutical production could reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves, create jobs, boost tax revenues and open new export markets.
However, public health experts stress that industrial growth must be matched by continued investment in disease prevention, vaccination, nutrition, clean water and sanitation to improve long-term health outcomes.
As pharmaceutical facilities take shape in Mloganzila, Kibaha and Bagamoyo, Tanzania is positioning itself to play a larger role in Africa’s healthcare and industrial landscape while strengthening economic resilience through strategic investment in the health sector.