Senegal eyes 50% local production of country’s pharmaceutical needs
Senegalese Minister of Economy and Planning, H.E. Amadou Hott, has revealed the country’s ambitious plan to locally produce 50 percent of the country’s pharmaceutical needs.
Speaking at the 6th Global Business Forum (GBF) Africa 2021 in Dubai, H.E. Hott remarked the Senegalese government is currently aiming to increase local production of medicines from 10 percent to 30 percent by 2030.
“The impact that COVID-19 had over the economy in Senegal led us to focus more on the food and healthcare industries. Currently, we are producing 10% only of our pharmaceutical needs. With that in mind, we have set plans to enhance our production abilities to meet 30% of our country’s demand for pharmaceuticals in 2030.
“There are also further future plans to increase this percentage to 50%. This ambitious plan calls for reforms in our infrastructure and requires attracting more investments in the healthcare industry,” said H.E. Hott.
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Highlighting the efforts Senegal has undertaken to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain the upward growth trajectory in the country, the Minister underlined the unique partnership that brings Senegal together with the UAE and the companies that operate in the Emirate, most notably DP World.
“Senegal has enjoyed a close relationship with DP World since the group began its operations in the country in 2008. This collaboration has resulted in the establishment of a pioneering port and free zone that extend over 1,000 hectares, in partnership with the Senegalese government and private companies there,” H.E. Hott explained, praising the partnership that connects Senegal to the UAE and its private sector.
