Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ Ltd has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kenya’s vision of becoming a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub following a high-level visit by diplomats from seven countries to its manufacturing facility in Athi River. The visit highlighted growing international confidence in Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector and the country’s expanding role in supplying quality medicines across East and Central Africa.
The diplomatic delegation, comprising representatives from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Rwanda, Somalia and Sri Lanka, toured the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and held discussions on opportunities for regional healthcare collaboration, pharmaceutical investment, technology transfer and cross-border trade. The facility, established through an investment of more than US$75 million, is among the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in East and Central Africa.
Since commencing commercial production in December 2022, the facility has been producing a broad range of affordable, high-quality medicines that comply with international Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. With an annual production capacity exceeding two billion tablets, capsules and sachets, the plant manufactures medicines for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, mental health, pain management and other chronic and acute conditions.
Company officials noted that Kenya currently imports more than 80 per cent of its pharmaceutical requirements, making local manufacturing essential for improving medicine security, reducing import dependence and ensuring consistent access to affordable healthcare products. They also emphasised that expanding domestic production will strengthen healthcare value chains, create skilled employment opportunities and promote technology transfer within the country.
Square Pharmaceuticals said it remains committed to partnering with Kenya in building a resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem capable of serving both the domestic and regional markets. The company believes that continued investment in local production and strategic partnerships will position Kenya as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing and export hub for Africa while supporting the country’s broader healthcare and industrialisation goals.