Kenya and Chinese Partners Explore Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Local Production Capacity
Kenya is stepping up efforts to attract investment into pharmaceutical manufacturing as part of its broader industrialisation agenda and commitment to strengthening domestic healthcare production capacity.
During the recent investment mission to China, the Kenyan delegation participated in a pharmaceutical investment roundtable organised in collaboration with Fangda Group and the Ministry of Health, bringing together approximately 30 Chinese pharmaceutical companies and industry representatives.
The engagement provided a platform to discuss opportunities for establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Kenya, strengthening local production capacity and developing partnerships with international pharmaceutical manufacturers.
The discussions aligned with Kenya’s ambition to increase domestic pharmaceutical production, with a target of locally manufacturing 50 per cent of the country’s pharmaceutical requirements by 2028.
The engagement also explored opportunities to strengthen Kenya’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and advance the country’s ambition to attain Level 3 manufacturing status.
Kenya offers investors an opportunity to establish production facilities serving both the domestic market and the wider African region.
Investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing would support technology transfer, local skills development, research and development, supply chain development and improved access to essential medicines.
The roundtable was attended by Kenya’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Willy Bett, alongside senior government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Invest Kenya.
The engagement forms part of Kenya’s strategy to attract strategic manufacturing investment that strengthens domestic production, reduces reliance on imported finished products and positions the country as a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
The initiative is designed to bring Kenya’s investment promotion services closer to international investors, strengthen engagement with prospective investment partners and facilitate the development of commercially viable investment opportunities.
The pilot office, developed in collaboration with the Kenya Embassy in Beijing and the Zhejiang-Africa Service Centre, is anchored on the Invest Kenya One Stop Centre model. It will provide a structured platform for investment information, investor engagement, business matchmaking and investment facilitation.
Hangzhou was selected because of its strong position in digital innovation, e-commerce, advanced manufacturing and green technology. These areas align with Kenya’s ambitions to strengthen its technology ecosystem and attract investment into emerging and strategic sectors.
The launch brought together representatives of the Kenyan Government, Invest Kenya, Zhejiang provincial and local government institutions, financial institutions and business organisations.
The Kenyan delegation was led by Kenya’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Willy Bett, and included Invest Kenya Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa and Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion Abubakar H. Abubakar, among other senior officials.
Other participating institutions included the Zhejiang-Africa Service Centre, Qiantang District Government, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, China Zheshang Bank and the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
The International Investment Office Model seeks to establish a proactive overseas presence that identifies investors, develops investment leads and connects international businesses with opportunities in Kenya.
The Hangzhou pilot forms part of a longer-term ambition to establish up to 15 International Investment Offices in strategic global markets, strengthening Kenya’s ability to compete for foreign direct investment and facilitate the establishment of productive investments.
