Page 8 - LUA September - October 2024

COVER STORY

the opportunity for collaboration in
capacity logistics and capacity-building to further
of National A spokesperson strengthen trade relations and expand
Regulatory from Sun Pharma, one of the Indian Africa's export portfolio.
Agencies by supporting the companies with a significant market
implementation of Good Manufacturing share in Africa's pharmaceutical sector, AFRICA'S MAJOR
Practices (GMP). Overall, UNIDO aims mentioned that although the company ROADBLOCKS
to develop Africa's local pharmaceutical has several manufacturing sites in "Given Africa's sheer geographical spread
production, improve access to health African countries such as South Africa, and diversity, the first fundamental
products, and reduce the continent's Egypt, and Morocco, a large portion of challenge is dealing with the differing
reliance on imports. pharmaceuticals are still imported from approaches to customs, regulations, various
However, the continent still faces India. He also stated that the quality levels of transport infrastructure and
challenges in becoming a major of talent available on the continent, customs procedures, which would affect any
pharmaceutical manufacturing and the ability to implement GMP, and the shipment moving cross-border," said Miles.
exporting hub, including limited access proper training of people are the factors Be it a pharmaceutical company, a
to affordable finance, skills shortages, hindering the establishment of large logistics solutions provider, or an airline,
unfavourable procurement practices, manufacturing sites in Africa. each player in Africa's pharmaceutical
narrow product offerings, outdated India is significantly contributing to logistics sector complains about the
manufacturing technology, constrained the growth of Africa's pharmaceutical continent's poor infrastructure. In a recent
health budgets, and a preference for sector, having exported $3.8 billion interview with Logistics Update Africa,
imported products. Additionally, the worth of pharmaceuticals to Africa Grant Kemp, Regional General Manager
UNIDO spokesperson mentioned that in 2023. During the recent CII India Africa, ME and CIS (GCC, UAE, Africa,
reliance on donor-funded procurement Africa Business Conclave, Sunil Levant and CIS) at Etihad Cargo, said that
programs and compliance with Barthwal, Commerce Secretary of the Africa's pharma logistics face operational
international standards further constrain Ministry of Commerce and Industry in and infrastructural challenges, such as
local production. the Government of India, highlighted securing permits and fluctuating demand.

6 LUA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2024