Emzor Pharmaceuticals has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) facility in Sagamu, Ogun State, with a substantial investment of $23 million (over N25 billion).

This ambitious project aims to tackle the widespread issue of malaria in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The new facility, expected to produce 400 metric tonnes of high-quality APIs annually, will be the first anti-malarial API manufacturing plant in Nigeria and Africa.

This will significantly bolster the continent’s fight against malaria, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on importing over 90 percent of its APIs.

Emzor Pharmaceuticals joins a growing number of industries in Ogun State, such as Nestle and Nigeria Brewery, highlighting the state’s increasing attractiveness to investors.

This development is a testament to the efforts of Governor Dapo Abiodun, whose policies are aimed at attracting business and cementing Ogun State’s position as Nigeria’s industrial capital.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced a €14 million funding to Emzor during the EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue last October, supporting the construction of this pioneering anti-malarial API plant.

The facility is expected to create over 500 jobs and further expand into three additional areas, fueling both economic growth and employment opportunities in Ogun State.

Emzor has also partnered with India’s Mangalam Drugs and Organics Limited to facilitate technology transfer training, testing, and initial production at the site.

The focus on high-quality and affordable anti-malarial drugs represents a significant advancement in Africa’s healthcare sector.

This development not only addresses the critical need for malaria treatment but also underscores Ogun State’s leading role in Nigeria’s industrial landscape.