(Business in Cameroon) – Foundation stone for a 580 billion FCFA (approx. $930 million) pharmaceutical manufacturing complex has been laid in Meyo, Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. The project, driven by the Chinese Yicheng Pharmaceutical Group, is labelled as a step in the the country’s strategy to reduce its heavy reliance on imported medicines.
The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, who emphasized the project’s critical role in strengthening the national health system. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the vulnerabilities of depending on foreign supply chains, as over 90% of the country’s medical products are currently imported. This new facility aims to drastically cut the nation’s 200 billion FCFA annual pharmaceutical import bill, lower drug costs, and improve accessibility for citizens.
The development is scheduled to unfold in three phases through 2035. The first phase, now underway with an investment of 30 billion FCFA, is slated for completion in 15 months. Expected to be commissioned by January 2027, this initial plant will have an annual production capacity of 10 billion tablets, two billion ampoules, and 100 million vials, covering essential treatments like antimalarials, antibiotics, and analgesics.
Project Leader Mbe Idriss Confiance stated that the goal is to achieve “health sovereignty and economic resilience through the local production of safe and high-quality medicines,” which will also facilitate technology transfer and skills development.
Future phases will expand the project’s scope significantly. A 250 billion FCFA second phase, starting in September 2027, will add a state-of-the-art hospital complex. The final 300 billion FCFA phase (2031-2035) will focus on expanding into the CEMAC sub-regional market, establishing a research and development center, and creating a network of large pharmacies.
According to Yicheng Group’s CEO, Qiu Jianyin, the project is a major economic driver, set to create over 1,000 direct jobs for professionals and 3,000 indirect jobs in associated sectors like logistics and transport. The company also plans to partner with local universities to foster scientific training and provide internships.
Prime Minister Ngute reaffirmed the government’s full support, calling on all relevant administrations to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation process for this vital component of Cameroon’s industrial diversification and healthcare modernization strategy. Cameroon’s pharmaceutical import bill stood at approximately 200 billion FCFA in 2023, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics, with most supplies sourced from India, France, and China.
Mercy Fosoh
