China to build Africa’s first insulin plant in Nigeria

In a landmark development for public health in Nigeria and across the African continent, China has announced plans to build Africa’s first local insulin production facility in Nigeria.¹ The announcement was made by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at a reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.²

The initiative is the result of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, through the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), and China’s Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd.³ The agreement marks a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s and Africa’s overwhelming dependence on imported insulin.⁴

Key highlights of the project:

• Ending Import Dependence: For decades, millions of Nigerians and other Africans living with diabetes have been entirely reliant on imported insulin.⁵ This has often led to high costs, shortages, and limited access to the life-saving drug. The new facility aims to end this reliance and ensure a stable and affordable supply of insulin.⁶
• Affordable Healthcare: The local production of insulin is expected to significantly reduce costs, making the essential medication more accessible to millions of people who need it.⁷
• Economic and Industrial Benefits: The project is a major step towards industrialization and national health security.⁸ It is expected to create skilled jobs in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, provide capacity building for Nigerian researchers, and save billions of Naira in foreign exchange annually.
• Regional Leadership: By pioneering insulin production in Africa, Nigeria is poised to become a regional hub for medical biotechnology, serving not only its own population but also the wider African market.⁹
• Strengthening Bilateral Ties: The partnership is a reflection of the growing strategic and economic cooperation between Nigeria and China, and it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritizes healthcare, innovation, and self-reliance.¹⁰

This collaboration is part of a broader trend of China’s increased engagement with Africa in the health and technology sectors, with a focus on supporting the continent’s self-driven development and addressing key public health challenges.¹¹