By Peace Udugba
Nigeria has taken another significant step toward strengthening its healthcare sector through a strategic collaboration involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Afrimedical, and Abbott.
The partnership, announced in Lagos on Monday, underscores a shared commitment to expanding local healthcare manufacturing, improving access to quality diagnostic solutions, and reducing the country’s dependence on imported healthcare commodities.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader healthcare transformation agenda, which seeks to strengthen domestic production capacity, promote innovation, and foster sustainable public-private partnerships across the healthcare value chain.
Speaking at a reception to mark the milestone, the United States Consul General in Lagos, Rick Swart, highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector in building resilient healthcare systems.
According to Swart, linking American technical expertise with Nigeria’s skilled workforce has the potential to significantly improve healthcare outcomes for citizens. He noted that Abbott’s decision to deepen its investment and presence in Nigeria demonstrates confidence in the country’s healthcare sector and its potential as a key market for American companies operating across Africa.
The National Coordinator of PVAC, Abdu Mukhtar, described the partnership as a model for accelerating healthcare industrialization in Nigeria.
“This is a strong example of the kind of partnerships needed to accelerate healthcare industrialization in Nigeria. Localization is not only about infrastructure, but also about building ecosystems that enable innovation, strengthen supply chains, and create long-term economic and health impact,” Mukhtar said.
Under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, the Federal Ministry of Health has continued to prioritize public-private partnerships, technical capacity development, and improved access to essential healthcare solutions as part of its reform agenda.
As part of the collaboration, Afrimedical will support the development of local manufacturing capabilities. A manufacturing facility located in Ogun State is expected to commence phased operations after completing the necessary regulatory evaluations and approvals.
The Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mikano International Limited, Mofid Karameh, said the initiative represents an important step toward building a stronger and more self-reliant healthcare ecosystem in Nigeria.
He noted that sustainable progress in the sector depends on strategic investments, technology transfer, and meaningful partnerships capable of strengthening local manufacturing capacity, improving healthcare access, and supporting long-term economic growth.
Also speaking, Rabah Elsayed reaffirmed Abbott’s commitment to improving healthcare access through innovative technologies. He said the company was proud to support efforts aimed at strengthening healthcare systems, building local capacity, and contributing to more resilient healthcare infrastructure across Africa.
The collaboration comes at a time when many African countries are prioritizing healthcare resilience and local production. It also aligns with broader continental and global objectives, including the healthcare manufacturing agenda of the African Union and international efforts to expand equitable access to quality point-of-care diagnostics.
Stakeholders say the partnership reflects PVAC’s mandate to coordinate government, industry, and healthcare actors in advancing improved healthcare access, stronger systems, and sustainable healthcare development in Nigeria and across the African continent.
