UAE Pharma Company Opens Plant in Africa

Feb. 13, 2013

The Julphar Ethiopia manufacturing facility marks a significant milestone in Julphar’s history and is a major part of its international expansion strategy that will see the company building a truly global footprint.

Adrienne Selko

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.

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."

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.