Uganda's Quality Chemicals calls for collaboration with Nigeria
“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.”
The call was made during the Uganda–Nigeria Business Forum and Exhibition in Kampala, where government representatives, investors and business leaders explored opportunities to deepen trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries. (Courtesy Photo)
KAMPALA - Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil) has called for stronger collaboration between Uganda and Nigeria to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen regional supply chains and improve access to quality-assured medicines across Africa.
The call was made during the Uganda–Nigeria Business Forum and Exhibition in Kampala, where government representatives, investors and business leaders explored opportunities to deepen trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Africa continues to import a significant proportion of the medicines it consumes, leaving health systems vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains. Qcil believes that greater collaboration between African governments, manufacturers, investors and healthcare institutions can help the continent build a more resilient and self-reliant pharmaceutical sector.
“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,” said Ajay Kumar Pal, Chief Executive Officer of Qcil.
“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.”
The Uganda High Commission in Abuja has identified pharmaceuticals as one of the sectors with strong potential for increased trade between Uganda and Nigeria.
More than 20 Nigerian companies and investors participated in the forum, which focused on market access, industrial partnerships and opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The engagement comes as Qcil undertakes a major expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Uganda.
The expansion will significantly increase production capacity, introduce new manufacturing capabilities and strengthen the company’s ability to serve governments, public-health programmes, private markets and international partners.
Qcil manufactures medicines across priority therapeutic areas, including HIV, malaria, sickle cell disease, anti-infectives, diabetes and consumer health. Its manufacturing and quality systems are aligned with WHO Prequalification requirements and international quality standards.
In May 2026, Qcil launched Sikurea, its hydroxyurea medicine for the management of sickle cell disease.
The product marks an important expansion beyond the company’s established manufacturing strengths in HIV and malaria medicines and demonstrates how African manufacturers can develop solutions that respond directly to the continent’s health priorities.
Nigeria’s population, healthcare needs and pharmaceutical market present an important opportunity for Uganda and Nigeria to collaborate across manufacturing, distribution, technology, investment and institutional supply.
“Africa’s health security cannot be built by one country or company working alone,” Pal added.
“It will require deliberate collaboration across borders, stronger African supply chains and sustained investment in local manufacturing. Qcil is ready to contribute its capabilities and work with partners in Nigeria and across the continent to advance this shared ambition.”
Through its expanded manufacturing capacity and growing portfolio, Qcil aims to become an increasingly important pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply partner for Africa, supporting a future in which more of the medicines Africans need are manufactured on the continent.