Tanzania has unveiled new investment opportunities in the health and life sciences sector, positioning itself as a future hub for pharmaceutical production and medical technology in Africa.
Speaking in London on behalf of the Minister for Health Mohamed Mchengerwa, Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, Emmanuel Tayari, said the government is ready to partner with international investors to strengthen local manufacturing of medicines and health products.
The announcement was made during the Health and Life Sciences Investment Forum organised by the Embassy of Tanzania in the United Kingdom in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (Tanzania) in London.
The forum is part of Tanzania’s broader strategy to accelerate investment in domestic pharmaceutical production and the manufacturing of medical devices.
In a message delivered at the forum, Mchengerwa said Tanzania is shifting its view of the health sector from being solely a social service to becoming a key driver of economic growth and industrial development.
“We want to move beyond being a market for imported health products. Tanzania aims to become a centre for manufacturing, innovation and regional distribution of medicines and medical technologies,” he said.
The minister said the government’s push to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing is strongly supported by Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has prioritised investment in health as part of the country’s broader economic transformation agenda.
He noted that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks of relying heavily on imported medicines and health equipment, underscoring the need for countries to build strong domestic production capacity.
According to the minister, Tanzania offers favourable conditions for investors, including a stable economy, a population of more than 65 million people and ongoing reforms in the national health insurance system that are expected to increase demand for healthcare services.
He added that Tanzania’s membership in the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community gives investors access to a large regional market across Eastern and Southern Africa.
As part of its industrialisation drive, the government is developing a pharmaceutical special economic zone in Mloganzila and supporting the establishment of pharmaceutical production facilities in Kibaha.
The government has also formed the Pharmaceutical Investment Acceleration Taskforce (PIAT) to streamline procedures and speed up investment approvals in the pharmaceutical sector.
Mchengerwa emphasised that Tanzania aims to attract high-quality pharmaceutical technologies that meet international standards.
“Substandard medicines cost lives. Tanzania does not want to become a dumping ground for outdated technologies or inferior products,” he said.
He called on investors to explore opportunities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, diagnostics, supply chain systems, research and development, as well as training and development of health professionals.
The forum was attended by several senior Tanzanian officials including Mbelwa Kairuki, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Seif A. Shekalaghe, Deputy Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Tayari and Chief Medical Officer Grace Magembe.
Representatives from key institutions including the Tanzania Investment Special Economic Zones Authority, the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority, the Medical Stores Department and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences also participated.
Among the international participants was Philip Conradi from Sartorius, a global manufacturer of life science and health products.
Closing the forum, the minister invited international investors to partner with Tanzania in building a strong pharmaceutical industry that can serve both the domestic and regional markets.
“The opportunity is here, the market is growing and our commitment is firm. We welcome investors to join us in shaping the future of health in Africa,” he said.
