Morocco Helps Rwanda Set up its Pharmaceutical Plant

Cooper Pharma, a Moroccan pharmaceutical company launched works to build a $6-million plant at the Kigali Special Economic Zone.

The plant, which was supported by Rwanda Development Bank, is part of the deals signed during King Mohammed VI visit to Kigali, in October 2016.

The plant will locally produce drugs that include beta-lactam antibiotics in the short term and then expand to non-beta lactam antibiotics depending on local and regional market demand.

The establishment of the first pharmaceutical firm in Rwanda is a significant milestone for the country in reducing imports, as the country currently imports approximately $100 million of medical products, said chief executive officer of the RDB Clare Akamanzi at the launch event held at Kigali Special Economic Zone.

The new medical facility will also help Rwanda become a medical export hub in the region.