Webinar | Doing Business in Ethiopia: Opportunities for Investment and Export in the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industries
About the webinar:
With new reforms underway in Ethiopia, and with the production of quality and competitive products for export and the domestic market in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector being a key focus area of the nation’s Ten Year Perspective Development Plan, opportunities exist for investment and trade in this sector.
This webinar is being organised by the Ethiopian Embassy in London, in collaboration with Africa Advisory Partners (www.aapib.com), and will showcase the opportunities for trade and investment in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries that Ethiopia offers, and the support available.
The webinar will also address challenges that businesses face in doing business in Ethiopia and offer insights on how to alleviate these barriers.
Target Audience:
Therapeutic drugs/medicine suppliers
Health supplement suppliers
Diagnostic laboratories
Medical devices/instruments suppliers
Veterinary medicines manufacturers
Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements producers
Healthcare service providers
Importers/distributors
Background:
The local Ethiopian pharmaceutical/healthcare industry comprises 22 pharmaceutical and medical suppliers and manufacturers, with 9 involved directly in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. Most of the manufacturers operate below their capacity and supply only about 20% of the local market.
In 2014, local pharmaceutical companies supplied products to the value of US$ 44.2 million. Local manufacturers have limited product portfolios and are thought to be able to supply only 90 of the more than 380 products on the national essential medicines list. The ownership of the companies is diverse and ranges from two large companies to smaller entities that are joint ventures between Ethiopian entrepreneurs and foreign investors from China, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates.
There are approximately 200 importers of pharmaceutical products and medical consumables in Ethiopia.
Awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases are increasing for both communicable and non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia.
It is estimated that more than 50,000 people travel each year for medical treatment abroad.
Market opportunity:
Ethiopia offers an exciting investment and export opportunity for foreign pharmaceutical companies:
The production of quality and competitive pharmaceutical products for export and the domestic market is one of the key manufacturing focus areas of the government’s new 10 Year Perspective Development Plan 2021 – 2030.
The provision of equitable and quality health services and achieving universal health coverage through a proactive preventative health system are objectives under the human capital development area of the 10 Year Perspective Development Plan.
The Ethiopian pharmaceutical market is growing by 15% per annum and the size of the market is expected to reach $1 billion in 2021.
Now that the majority of African countries have ratified the Continental Africa Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), Ethiopia has the potential to serve as an export hub for the >20 billion pharmaceutical market in Africa.
Access to the state-of-the-art Kilinto Pharmaceutical Industrial Park at preferential land lease rates for a duration of 40 years; and
Preferential access to public procurement: 25% price preference and 30% prepayment for firms manufacturing in Ethiopia and potential for long-term procurement guarantee.
Programme:
Welcome: Mr. Beyene Gebremeskel, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia, London
Opening Remarks: Colonel (Retd) Sandy Wade OBE JP, Associate Director Horn of Africa, Africa Advisory Partners
Keynote Speakers:
H.E. Mr. Teferi Melesse Desta, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the United Kingdom
Lord Michael Bates, British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia (TBC)
Source: Ethiopian Emabassy UK