Doing Business in Ethiopia: Opportunities for Investment and Export in the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Industries

 Tuesday, 15^th June 2021 | 10:00am (London, BST) | 12:00pm (Addis Ababa, BST +2)

Online via Zoom

Participation in the webinar is by invitation only.

About the webinar:

With new reforms underway in Ethiopia, and with the production of quality and competitive products for export and the domestic market in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sector being a key focus area of the nation’s Ten Year Perspective Development Plan, opportunities exist for investment and trade in this sector.

This webinar is being organised by the Ethiopian Embassy in London, in collaboration with Africa Advisory Partners (www.aapib.com), and will showcase the opportunities for trade and investment in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries that Ethiopia offers, and the support available.

The webinar will also address challenges that businesses face in doing business in Ethiopia and offer insights on how to alleviate these barriers.

Target Audience:

• Therapeutic drugs/medicine suppliers
• Health supplement suppliers 
• Diagnostic laboratories 
• Medical devices/instruments suppliers
• Veterinary medicines manufacturers
• Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements producers
• Healthcare service providers
• Importers/distributors

Background:

The local Ethiopian pharmaceutical/healthcare industry comprises 22 pharmaceutical and medical suppliers and manufacturers, with 9 involved directly in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. Most of the manufacturers operate below their capacity and supply only about 20% of the local market.

In 2014, local pharmaceutical companies supplied products to the value of US$ 44.2 million. Local manufacturers have limited product portfolios and are thought to be able to supply only 90 of the more than 380 products on the national essential medicines list. The ownership of the companies is diverse and ranges from two large companies to smaller entities that are joint ventures between Ethiopian entrepreneurs and foreign investors from China, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates.

There are approximately 200 importers of pharmaceutical products and medical consumables in Ethiopia.

Awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases are increasing for both communicable and non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia.

It is estimated that more than 50,000 people travel each year for medical treatment abroad.

Market opportunity:

Ethiopia offers an exciting investment and export opportunity for foreign pharmaceutical companies:

• The production of quality and competitive pharmaceutical products for export and the domestic market is one of the key manufacturing focus areas of the government’s new 10 Year Perspective Development Plan 2021 – 2030.
• The provision of equitable and quality health services and achieving universal health coverage through a proactive preventative health system are objectives under the human capital development area of the 10 Year Perspective Development Plan.
• The Ethiopian pharmaceutical market is growing by 15% per annum and the size of the market is expected to reach $1 billion in 2021.
• Now that the majority of African countries have ratified the Continental Africa Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), Ethiopia has the potential to serve as an export hub for the >20 billion pharmaceutical market in Africa.
• Access to the state-of-the-art Kilinto Pharmaceutical Industrial Park at preferential land lease rates for a duration of 40 years; and
• Preferential access to public procurement: 25% price preference and 30% prepayment for firms manufacturing in Ethiopia and potential for long-term procurement guarantee.

Programme

Introduction

Welcome: Mr. Beyene Gebremeskel, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia, London

Opening Remarks: Colonel (Ret’d) Sandy Wade OBE JP, Associate Director Horn of Africa, Africa Advisory Partners

Keynote Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Teferi Melesse Desta, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the United Kingdom
• Lord Michael Bates, British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia

Session 1: Ethiopian pharmaceutical and healthcare sector market opportunities, challenges, and future prospects

Moderator: Sandy Wade OBE JP, Associate Director Horn of Africa, Africa Advisory Partners

Panellists:

• Mr Aschalew Tadesse, Promotion Director, Ethiopian Investment Commission
• Mr. Regassa Bayisa, Director Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Directorate, Ministry of Health
• Mr. Abdela Kasso, Medicine Registration, and Market Authorization Director, Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration (EFDA)

Q&A (10 minutes)

Session 2: Practical advice and support for investors and exporters

Moderator: Sandy Wade OBE JP, Associate Director Horn of Africa, Africa Advisory Partners

Panellists:

• Mr. Getachew Regassa, Secretary-General, Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations
• Ms. Fregenet Getachew Desta, Country Manager, Julphar Pharmaceuticals PLC
• Mr. Christopher Morris, Director Africa Advisory Partners
• Mr. Mehrteab Leul, Director Mehrteab Leul & Associates Law Office

Q&A (15 minutes)

Concluding remarks

•  Mr. Beyene Gebremeskel, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia, London

Registration

Participation in the webinar is by invitation only. However, please note that this virtual event will be broadcast live via the Embassy Facebook page.

Event Contact: events@ethioembassy.org.uk