Egyptian pharmaceutical company, Utopia Pharmaceuticals, has announced plans to establish a drug manufacturing plant in Abia State to serve the Nigerian and West African markets.
The founder of the company, Mr. Kamel Muhamed, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with Governor Alex Otti at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Muhamed said the company was seeking a partnership with the Abia State Government to establish the facility as part of its strategy to expand operations across Africa.
According to him, the proposed plant would position Nigeria as a regional hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing while supplying medicines to countries across West Africa.
He explained that Utopia Pharmaceuticals already operates within the framework of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Egypt and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on drug registration.
Muhamed added that the company had successfully implemented similar pharmaceutical manufacturing projects in Tanzania and other African countries and was ready to replicate the model in Abia State.
He also disclosed that the company would conduct a pilot presentation of its anti-malaria products in the state.
Responding, Governor Otti welcomed the investment proposal, describing local manufacturing as a key component of his administration’s industrialisation agenda.
He stressed that the state government prioritises investments that promote local production over the distribution of finished products, noting that manufacturing would create jobs, stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty and encourage technology transfer.
The governor assured the investors of the state’s full support in establishing the facility and advised them to consider the Ukwa axis as the preferred location due to its abundant natural gas resources, reliable electricity supply from Geometric Power and expansive land suitable for industrial development.
Otti further assured the delegation that land acquisition would not pose any challenge and directed the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, to work closely with the investors to facilitate the successful implementation of the project.
Source:NAN
