Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil) has called for stronger cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen regional medicine supply chains and improve access to quality-assured medicines across Africa.
The call was made during the Uganda–Nigeria Business Forum and Exhibition held in Kampala last week, bringing together government officials, investors and business leaders to explore opportunities for increased trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Qcil Chief Executive Officer Ajay Kumar Pal said greater collaboration among African governments, pharmaceutical manufacturers, investors and healthcare institutions is critical to reducing the continent’s dependence on imported medicines and building stronger health systems.
“Uganda and Nigeria have a shared opportunity to strengthen Africa’s health security by investing in pharmaceutical manufacturing and building stronger supply partnerships across the continent,” Pal said.
“Uganda brings growing industrial and manufacturing capacity, while Nigeria offers significant market scale and investment potential. Together, we can reduce dependence on imported medicines and improve access to essential treatments.”
Africa remains heavily dependent on imported medicines, exposing health systems to disruptions in global supply chains and international market shocks. Qcil argues that increasing local production and developing stronger intra-African supply networks could help address these vulnerabilities.
Qcil already supplies pharmaceutical products worth about $3 million to Nigeria and sees scope to expand this business through partnerships with Nigerian distributors, hospitals, healthcare institutions, government programmes and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
More than 20 Nigerian companies and investors participated in the Kampala forum, which focused on market access, industrial partnerships and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Uganda High Commission in Abuja has identified pharmaceuticals among the sectors with significant potential for increased trade between Uganda and Nigeria, given Nigeria’s large consumer market and growing demand for healthcare products.
The engagement comes as Qcil undertakes a major expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Uganda. The investment is expected to increase production capacity, introduce new manufacturing capabilities and strengthen the company’s ability to supply governments, public health programmes, private markets and international partners.
Qcil manufactures medicines targeting several priority therapeutic areas, including HIV, malaria, sickle cell disease, anti-infectives and diabetes, as well as consumer health products. The company says its manufacturing and quality systems are aligned with World Health Organisation prequalification requirements and international quality standards.
Speaking at the forum, Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of Regional Economic Cooperation at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Qcil’s expanding manufacturing capabilities and the potential for its products to contribute to Nigeria’s response to sickle cell disease.
In May 2026, Qcil launched Sikurea, a hydroxyurea medicine for the management of sickle cell disease. The product expanded the company’s portfolio beyond its established manufacturing base in HIV and malaria medicines and underscored the potential for African manufacturers to develop treatments targeting the continent’s specific health challenges.
Nigeria’s large population and pharmaceutical market provide an opportunity for the two countries to deepen cooperation in manufacturing, distribution, technology, investment and institutional procurement.
Pal said the development of Africa’s health security would require sustained investment and partnerships that extend beyond individual countries.
“Africa’s health security cannot be built by one country or company working alone,” he said. “It will require deliberate collaboration across borders, stronger African supply chains and sustained investment in local manufacturing.”
He said Qcil was ready to work with Nigerian and other African partners to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing and improve the availability of essential medicines.
