By Amina Njoroge, African Business Correspondent
Tanzania has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform its pharmaceutical sector, aiming to reduce reliance on imported medicines and establish itself as East Africa’s leading manufacturing hub.
Currently, over 80 percent of the medicines and medical equipment used in Tanzania are imported, costing the nation nearly one billion dollars annually. The government believes that building a strong local industry will not only cut costs but also strengthen regional supply chains.
Dr. Francis Mallya, a Medical Practitioner and Supply Chain Specialist, highlighted three critical issues in this transition:
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The structural hurdles Tanzania must overcome to make local drug production viable.
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Whether the newly formed Investment Acceleration Taskforce can turn policy into tangible, bankable projects.
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How domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing could reshape pricing and supply chains across East Africa.
Private Sector Steps In to Reduce Harvest Losses
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, up to 37 percent of agricultural harvests are lost each year—not due to lack of production, but because crops fail to reach markets in time. From Nigeria to Kenya, poor transport networks, inadequate storage, and weak cold-chain systems drain billions from the agricultural economy.
While governments continue to grapple with these challenges, private sector innovators are investing in logistics, warehousing, and digital platforms to reduce losses and strengthen food security.
Banana Fibres vs Plastic Waste in the Central African Republic
In the Central African Republic, entrepreneurs are turning banana tree trunks into biodegradable bags, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging. This innovation aligns with the country’s 2020 ban on plastic bags, yet enforcement remains weak.
Plastic products still dominate the market, undermining demand for eco-friendly alternatives. The challenge now lies in scaling production, ensuring affordability, and enforcing existing bans to give green solutions a fighting chance.
