The European Union (EU) has unveiled a wide-ranging support initiative to bolster Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, aiming to strengthen the country’s capacity to manufacture vaccines, medicines, and other health products. This announcement follows a recent breakfast meeting hosted by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with key private sector stakeholders in Lagos.
The gathering focused on enhancing Nigeria’s ability to provide a skilled workforce for the health sector, particularly in Research and Development (R&D), as well as in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for those in supporting roles.
Massimo De Luca, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the EU’s commitment to forming sustainable partnerships aimed at increasing access to high-quality, safe, and affordable health products. He explained that the EU’s support complements Nigeria’s efforts by offering direct grants, contribution agreements, and technical assistance designed to address challenges in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
De Luca outlined five key areas of focus in the initiative: skills development through education and training, R&D including the use of AI and nanotechnology, digitalization of the pharmaceutical ecosystem, a centralized system for forecasting, procurement, and distribution of medical products, and trade investments with customs facilitation.
The EU’s targeted support through TEI MAV+ and other initiatives seeks to strengthen local pharmaceutical systems and manufacturing capabilities across Africa. With a 360-degree approach, the program aims to address supply and demand-side barriers while fostering an environment conducive to sustainable local manufacturing of vaccines and health products.
As part of this support, the MAV+ program will provide €18 million for Nigeria, focusing on skills development, resilient supply chains, and improving access to finance and markets for locally produced goods. The program will also enhance collaborative research and innovation, including partnerships with European research institutes.
Digitalization efforts will include the establishment of bioequivalence and bioavailability facilities, as well as supporting good manufacturing practices and traceability within the supply chain. Furthermore, a new Human Development Accelerator (HDX) financing instrument will be available to improve access to finance, particularly for the private sector, to address the local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and other critical health products.
De Luca emphasized the EU’s ongoing commitment to collaboration, noting that the EU will maintain close coordination with its member states and private sector partners through regular informal Health Partners Meetings in Abuja. The EU will also leverage new financing tools such as HDX, using equity, debt, guarantees, blended finance, and impact financing to drive further engagement from the private sector.
The EU’s investments in health include funding for various projects: €18 million for MAV+ to boost skills and job creation, €4.2 million for public health institutes, €12.5 million for regional Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights initiatives, and €5.5 million for digitalization in the supply chain via UNICEF. Other initiatives include €40 million for SRHR through UNICEF/UNFPA, €20 million for the Safe Birth Africa project, and €14 million in financing for EMZOR Pharmaceuticals to enhance access to finance and markets.
This comprehensive support package underscores the EU’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector and fostering sustainable health solutions across the region.
