Nigeria, EU and ECOWAS Sign Landmark Agreements to Strengthen Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Reproductive Health in West Africa

The Government of Nigeria, together with the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States, has signed three major agreements designed to transform healthcare and pharmaceutical production across the region. These initiatives aim to strengthen local manufacturing, attract global investment, and improve access to essential medicines and reproductive health services throughout West Africa.

The agreements titled Enabling Local Manufacturing of Health, Immunisation and Nutrition Commodities in Nigeria (ELM N), Quality Uplift for Advancing Local Industry in Medicine Standards (QUALIMEDS Nigeria), and Strengthening Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in West Africa, were signed at the Nigeria EU Health Investment Forum in Abuja. They form part of the European Union’s Global Gateway Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies initiative, which supports regional production and reduces dependence on imported healthcare products.

Nigeria’s Vice President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a sustainable and innovation driven health economy led by local capacity and global collaboration. He emphasised that the vision of “Made in Nigeria, for Nigeria, by Nigerians” welcomes partnerships with international investors and manufacturers who are ready to support long term growth and knowledge exchange.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS confirmed Team Europe’s continued support, highlighting more than 45 million euros invested in Nigeria and a further 25 million euros across West Africa. These investments focus on improving maternal and child health, strengthening pharmaceutical capacity, and fostering collaboration between African and European health sectors.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health noted that developing local production of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical technologies is a vital step towards achieving universal health coverage and greater regional independence.