As malaria continues to plague Africa with staggering health and economic consequences, Nigerian pharmaceutical giant Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is stepping up with a bold, localised solution: large-scale production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to combat the disease and reduce reliance on imports.
Head of Marketing and Strategy at Emzor, Mr. Kunle Faloye recently emphasized the urgency of the initiative. “Our API manufacturing project is designed to address the root of Africa’s dependency on foreign medicines. By producing high-quality APIs here in Nigeria, we are improving access, reducing costs, and making essential antimalarial treatments more affordable and reliable,” he stated.
Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in Africa, especially for pregnant women and children under five. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the continent accounts for 94 per cent of the world’s malaria cases, with Nigeria alone contributing over 25 per cent of the global burden. Statistics have also shown that malaria causes about 11 per cent of maternal deaths and approximately 30 per cent of childhood fatalities in Nigeria
Faced with dwindling foreign aid and rising import costs, health experts have long called for more sustainable, African-led solutions. Emzor appears to be answering that call through its multimillion-dollar API manufacturing complex in Sagamu, Ogun State; the first of its kind in West Africa and a game changer in the regional pharmaceutical landscape.
Faloye added that the move will also reduce the influx of substandard and falsified drugs associated with import dependency. The facility is World Health Organisation/ Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO/GMP) -compliant, has a production capacity of 400 metric tons, and manufactures key antimalarial APIs like Artemether, Lumefantrine, Sulfadoxine, and Pyrimethamine,” he said.
Over the past four decades, Emzor has expanded its antimalarial drug portfolio from a single product to more than 20 WHO-recommended formulations. These include familiar treatments such as Artemether/Lumefantrine (Lokmal), Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine (Maldox), Dihydroartemisinin/Piperaquine (Piramal), and Artesunate/Amodiaquine (Diasunate). The company has also introduced pioneering products like Lokmal DT; Nigeria’s first dispersible Artemether/Lumefantrine combination and Piramal TS Combi, the country’s first co-packaged fixed-dose treatment that includes paracetamol.
Chairman of the Board, Mr. Emeka Okoli, underlined the importance of African-led innovation in tackling African health problems. “With approximately 95 per cent of all malaria cases and 96 per cent of malaria deaths happening in Africa, the continent must provide its own solutions. At Emzor, we are proud to be at the forefront of that movement with our API initiative,” he said.
In addition to health benefits, Emzor’s investment in local API production also carries significant economic implications. By reducing the need for foreign exchange and imported raw materials, the company is helping to conserve national resources while boosting local employment, skill development, and industrial capacity.
“This is not just about medicines. It’s about building a self-reliant health ecosystem. We are supporting local manufacturing, creating jobs, and contributing to Nigeria’s GDP growth. It’s a full-circle impact,” Fayole said.
With five state-of-the-art production sites across Lagos and Sagamu and adherence to GMP, Emzor is solidifying its status as a leader in African pharmaceutical production. The Sagamu API facility, in particular, positions Nigeria as a regional powerhouse in the manufacturing of essential drug components.
The company’s strategy is already paying off by improving treatment outcomes and enhancing access to affordable, high-quality medicines. By producing APIs locally, Emzor is minimizing the risks associated with counterfeit drugs and reducing the cost of treatment for millions of Nigerians who might otherwise be unable to afford imported options.
“We believe our approach will create long-term value not only for the healthcare system but for the economy at large. This is our commitment to quality, to accessibility, and to a malaria-free Africa,” Okoli added.
As the fight against malaria intensifies across the continent, Emzor’s localised API production stands as a promising example of how indigenous solutions can address critical health challenges while driving sustainable economic development.
