CNN Marketplace Africa Spotlights Emzor CEO Stella Okoli’s Vision for Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Africa
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Stella Okoli, has highlighted the critical role of local pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain development in strengthening Nigeria's healthcare sector, revealing that the company is positioning itself to become a world-class manufacturer with plans to produce more than 6,000 products within the next five years.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Stella Okoli, has reaffirmed the company's commitment to expanding local pharmaceutical production, saying investment in domestic manufacturing of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is key to improving healthcare security in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking on the latest episode of Marketplace Africa on CNN International, Okoli reflected on Emzor's four-decade journey from producing basic medicines to becoming one of Nigeria's leading pharmaceutical manufacturers.
She explained that the company's growth has been driven by a deliberate strategy of gradually expanding its product portfolio.
"When we finished making the paracetamol, we went to anti-malarials. We made the anti-malarials, then antibiotics, and continued into different tablets, liquids and capsules. During COVID, it became very clear that we must start manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)," she said.
Okoli noted that maintaining high product quality has remained the cornerstone of Emzor's success over the past 40 years.
According to her, the company continues to invest in modern equipment, quality raw materials, technology transfer and workforce development to ensure its products meet international standards.
"It must be high quality so that anywhere in the world it goes, people will appreciate it. We keep moving, buying equipment, sourcing quality raw materials, carrying out technology transfer where necessary, and encouraging our people," she said.
Highlighting the significance of the company's latest investment, Okoli described Emzor's API facility as the first of its kind in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
She said the facility would strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing by providing quality raw materials not only for Emzor but also for other drug manufacturers across Nigeria and the African continent.
"The API factory is the first in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. It is a great encouragement for Nigerians. We will be able to supply APIs to manufacturers in Nigeria and Africa, while ensuring consistent quality because we know the source of the raw materials," she said.
Looking ahead, Okoli expressed confidence that Emzor would continue expanding its operations both locally and internationally.
She said the company's long-term vision is to establish manufacturing locations across several Nigerian states while increasing exports to global markets.
"In five years' time, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries should be making over 6,000 different products," she projected.
The interview featured on the latest edition of Marketplace Africa, CNN International's flagship programme focusing on business, entrepreneurship and economic development across the African continent.
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