UAE-based Julphar, in conjunction with its local Ethiopian partner Medtech, officially inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in Africa in Addis Ababa last week.
The company manufactures pharmaceutical products which targets therapeutic segments including endocrinology, anti infective, cardiovascular and gastroenterology.
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The Julphar Ethiopia plant, located in the Gerji Jakros region of the Ethiopian capital, is a 40,000 square feet facility that was designed and built by Julphar’s engineering and construction division.
Julphar has invested 170 million birrs (US$ 19 million) in the construction of the plant.
Once fully operational the Julphar plant will produce per annum 25 million bottles of suspension and syrup, 500 million tablets and 200 million capsules.
The new plant will serve both the local market as well as the entire African continent.
“Julphar is a real showcase for other companies looking to invest into Ethiopia,” said Ethiopia Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Tedros Adhanom. “Expansion of the facility was factored into the plans from the beginning and for that we are grateful.”
The Julphar Ethiopia manufacturing facility is a major part of its international expansion strategy, the company said in a statement.
In 2012, Julphar become the only company in the Middle East to produce the raw material needed to make insulin. Julphar manufactures more than 423 products.
The pharmaceutical market in Africa is significant and growing, with recent estimates of the continent’s market set between $8 to $10 billion.
“Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with a growing population,” said HE Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia. “It is important to have tremendous access to quality medicine.”
Dr Mohamed Nuri, CEO of Medtech, commented: "The opening of this facility will enable us not only to be a vital supplier to the local market but way beyond across the whole continent. We have worked in alignment with the Ethiopian government and other global health organizations in the planning of this facility and we are excited about the impact this will have on local healthcare."