Tanzania’s Medical Stores Department (MSD) is inviting Russian investors to partner in strengthening the country’s health sector through local production of pharmaceutical raw materials and medical supplies, in a move aimed at reducing reliance on imports and expanding access to affordable healthcare products.
Speaking at the Russia Day Forum held at the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), MSD Director General Mavere Tukai outlined strategic investment opportunities in the local manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and cotton-based medical products.
The forum brought together Russian and Tanzanian stakeholders from the agriculture, energy, and health sectors to explore avenues for trade and collaboration.
“While MSD operates domestic manufacturing facilities, we remain dependent on imports for raw materials,” Tukai told the gathering.
“We are encouraging investors from Russia and beyond to explore opportunities in local pharmaceutical production, including essential inputs like APIs.”he added
He noted that the investment environment in Tanzania offers not only stability but also market access across Southern Africa.
“Through our pooled procurement programme for SADC member states, we support a potential market of over 360 million people. This creates a reliable demand base for health commodities produced in Tanzania,” he added.
The Russia Day Forum, held within the Sabasaba exhibition grounds, featured keynote presentations from institutional leaders and private sector players, alongside business-to-business (B2B) sessions designed to catalyse partnerships between Russian and Tanzanian enterprises.
Organised to deepen bilateral commercial ties, the event underscored the Tanzanian government’s commitment to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in strategic sectors.
Participants discussed emerging opportunities, with a shared interest in fostering sustainable industrial development and reducing dependency on global supply chains.
MSD’s participation highlighted the growing role of public health institutions in driving industrial transformation, particularly in the post-pandemic context where resilience and self-sufficiency in essential supplies have become urgent priorities.
As Tanzania positions itself as a regional hub for health commodities, Russian investors were urged to take advantage of its strategic location, policy reforms, and access to regional and continental markets under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).