This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On September 6, 2019, Abbott, a leading US-based healthcare firm, marked a significant milestone in its East African expansion by opening its second sub-Saharan Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya.
The new office is intended to support Abbott's expanded growth opportunities, both locally and in the region. Abbott's other office in sub-Saharan Africa has been based in Johannesburg, South Africa, since 1940.
“Abbott is deepening its long-standing commitment to Kenya, and to East Africa as a whole, by increasing our resources in the region,” said Damian Halloran, vice president, Infectious Disease-Emerging Markets, Rapid Diagnostics, at the company.
Abbott has been actively engaged in the Kenyan market since 2009, providing nutrition solutions. In 2016, its Pharmaceuticals business invested in a Kenyan manufacturer, acquiring several products developed for keeping children healthy.
Abbott is also collaborating with the Ministry of Health in Rwanda to establish a new model for the decentralization of healthcare to reach people in rural areas. The firm is providing technical expertise while funding the pilot program.