Tanzania is actively pursuing collaboration with Belarus in the pharmaceutical sector as it aims to bolster local drug manufacturing capacity and reduce its heavy dependence on imports. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa made this clear during a high-level meeting with Belarusian Healthcare Minister Aleksandr Khodzhayev at the Belmedpreparaty pharmaceutical company, underscoring Tanzania’s readiness to welcome Belarusian expertise and investment.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Majaliwa emphasized that pharmaceuticals are one of Tanzania’s priority sectors for development, noting that the East African nation currently imports nearly 80% of the medicines it consumes. Only about 20% of pharmaceuticals are produced domestically, making it a highly strategic sector for foreign direct investment.
“We will be happy to take advantage of the competences that Belarus can offer in this sector,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting that Belarus’ advanced pharmaceutical technology and regulatory experience would be highly beneficial to Tanzania’s long-term vision of medical self-reliance.
To encourage such partnerships, Tanzania is offering a range of investment incentives, including financial and logistical support. Prime Minister Majaliwa explained that various government agencies are equipped to assist potential investors in navigating certification processes, regulatory requirements, and distribution logistics. These agencies also provide support mechanisms for importing raw materials and launching certified products into the Tanzanian market.
Majaliwa further pointed out that Tanzania’s geographic positioning presents an added advantage. Strategically located in East Africa with access to major ports and borders with eight countries, Tanzania can serve as a gateway to a broader regional pharmaceutical market. “Our location makes us an ideal launchpad for reaching neighboring countries in Eastern and Southern Africa,” he stated, inviting Belarus to tap into this opportunity.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the meeting would lay the foundation for a long-term bilateral relationship that strengthens the healthcare systems of both nations. He praised the Belarusian pharmaceutical sector for its innovation and quality standards, noting that cooperation could accelerate Tanzania’s plans to reduce its reliance on imported drugs while expanding access to affordable, high-quality medication for its population.
This diplomatic and commercial overture reflects Tanzania’s broader national development agenda under Vision 2025, which includes building a robust healthcare system, boosting industrialization, and enhancing foreign investment in critical sectors. Belarus, with its state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and experience in regulated markets, could prove to be a vital partner in Tanzania’s pharmaceutical transformation journey.
The visit to Belarus by the Tanzanian delegation is expected to pave the way for formal agreements, joint ventures, and technology transfer arrangements that could ultimately lead to the establishment of full-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing plants on Tanzanian soil.
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