Health CS Aden Duale addresses delegates during the opening of the sixth PharmaReg AfriSummit 2026, as Kenya steps up efforts to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthen access to quality health products. 
By Fredrick Kioko
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing as the government seeks to reduce reliance on imported medicines and improve access to quality healthcare products.
Speaking during the opening of the sixth PharmaReg AfriSummit 2026, Duale said Kenya was implementing measures to expand domestic pharmaceutical production, strengthen regulatory systems and enhance health security across Africa.
Duale noted that Africa imports more than 70 per cent of the health products it consumes, while approximately 85 per cent of the continent’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities are concentrated in just eight countries.
He said Kenya was working to reverse this dependence through the 2026–2030 Health Products and Technologies Local Manufacturing Strategy, which targets local production of at least 50 per cent of the country’s essential health products.
The Health CS revealed that 13 new pharmaceutical companies had commenced operations in Kenya, with some already manufacturing products for export markets.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to strengthen market surveillance and improve pharmaceutical regulation, including advancing Kenya’s regulatory system towards World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3.
According to Duale, more than 2,200 substandard, falsified and non-compliant health products have been removed from the market as part of efforts to protect consumers and ensure the safety and quality of medicines.
The five-day summit, held under the theme “Building the Bridge of Health,” has attracted more than 450 health professionals, regulators, pharmaceutical industry representatives and development partners from Africa and beyond.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for discussions on pharmaceutical regulation, local manufacturing, access to essential medicines and the advancement of Universal Health Coverage.
Among those attending were Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, AfriSummit Chairperson Dr Mona Moussli, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa Himanshu Raj, PPB Chairperson Dr John Munyu, PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Waqo Ejersa, alongside other delegates.
