President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has unveiled a strategic plan to reduce Tanzania’s reliance on imported medicines and medical devices, targeting 80% local production of health products by 2030. The initiative, announced during the inauguration of the 13th National Assembly on November 14, 2025, seeks to cut the annual pharmaceutical import bill of approximately $1 billion (about 2.6tri/-), generate thousands of jobs, and strengthen national health security. The government also pledged to expand access to quality health services through the Universal Health Insurance pilot program, as emphasized by the president during her address to Members of Parliament.
Tanzania currently imports over 80% of its pharmaceutical products and medical devices, despite a surge in registered pharmaceutical projects from zero in 2021 to 14 in 2025. Capital inflows into the sector reached $87 million (about 231bn/-) in 2025, yet local production meets only 10–20% of national demand. Minister for Health Mr. Mohamed Mchengerwa, presenting the 2026/27 budget proposals in May 2025, reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing locally manufactured medicines through the Medical Stores Department (MSD), which procures health commodities worth $491 million (about 1.3tri/-) annually for over 8,800 public health facilities.
To accelerate progress, the government established the Pharmaceutical Investment Acceleration Task Force (PIAT), a high-powered body tasked with removing regulatory and logistical bottlenecks. PIAT’s ‘Green Lane’ mechanism streamlines approvals for licensing, land acquisition, taxation, and product registration, enabling faster project implementation. Mr. Mchengerwa stressed the urgency of the sector, stating, “The pharmaceutical sector cannot wait for slow, conventional decision-making.” The task force has already attracted interest from international firms, including a Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed Chinese company planning to invest in generic medicine production.
MSD, the central procurement agency, is pivotal to the transformation. Its corporate customer service lead, Mr. Michael Bajile, highlighted the department’s renewed focus on local production during a recent ‘Window Shopping’ event, emphasizing MSD’s capacity to supply advanced medical equipment. MSD Logistics Director Victor Sungusia underscored the agency’s commitment to ensuring timely access to medical supplies, citing government investments in supply chain capabilities and technology to meet growing demands.
The shift is already yielding results. The availability of essential health commodities rose from 58% in the 2021/22 financial year to 88% as of March 2025. Pharmacists have praised the initiative, with Pharmaceutical Society of Tanzania Vice-President Mary Kisima calling it a “transformative step” that bolsters health security and creates employment. The government aims to produce at least 50% of hospital medicines and medical equipment locally, aligning with broader regional health goals.
At a Ministers’ High-Level Meeting on Local Production in Algiers, Mr. Mchengerwa urged African nations to adopt a unified approach, warning that continued fragmentation risks importing 99% of vaccines. He advocated for harmonization, pooled procurement, and shared industrial planning to strengthen continental health security. Tanzania’s push positions it as a regional pharmaceutical hub, with the government framing the strategy as a shift from vulnerability to strategic strength.
Under President Dr. Samia’s leadership, Tanzania is redefining its pharmaceutical landscape. By reducing import dependence, the country aims to save foreign exchange, ensure reliable access to quality medicines, and create sustainable jobs. The government’s message is clear: the era of pharmaceutical reliance is ending, replaced by a vision of self-sufficiency and regional leadership.