Representing the Ivorian government at the Côte d’Ivoire 2026 Forum organized in Paris by Business France, the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Pierre N’Gou Dimba, presented to international investors and decision-makers the strategic opportunities offered by Côte d’Ivoire in the health sector, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.
Under the forum’s general theme, focused on the economic attractiveness of Côte d’Ivoire, members of the French government, parliamentarians, ambassadors, and business leaders discussed investment prospects in a country recognized for its stability, economic dynamism, and strategic position in West Africa.
Speaking at the high-level panel titled “Health and Pharmaceutical Industry: Can Côte d’Ivoire Become a Regional Hub?”, Minister Pierre N’Gou Dimba emphasized that pharmacy should not be seen merely as a supply function. Today, it represents a crucial lever for health sovereignty, economic resilience, and social stability.
Faced with a continued dependence on imported medicines, Côte d’Ivoire is undertaking an ambitious structural transformation aimed at strengthening local production capacity and positioning itself as a leading regional pharmaceutical platform.
To this end, the Minister highlighted the country’s major strengths, including its status as the leading economic power in the WAEMU, its attractive business environment, its openness to a large regional market, and the quality of its logistical infrastructure. These factors provide a solid foundation for attracting sustainable investment in the pharmaceutical sector.
Illustrating this momentum, several concrete initiatives have been launched, such as the development of internationally certified pharmaceutical production units, including the AFRICURE factory and the major Fosun Pharma campus project, which is expected to significantly enhance national production capacity.
At the same time, structural reforms have been implemented to improve the availability, quality, and safety of medicines, notably through the modernization of the New Public Health Pharmacy (NPSP), with a particular focus on procurement planning, product qualification, stock security, and governance of the supply system.
Beyond industrial investment, Minister Pierre N’Gou Dimba stressed the importance of building a complete and credible pharmaceutical ecosystem based on strict regulation, high-quality standards, reliable infrastructure, enhanced technical skills, and an environment conducive to long-term investment security.
Guided by a strategic, progressive, and realistic vision, Côte d’Ivoire aims to significantly increase the share of locally produced medicines, with a clear target: rising from 6% today to 30% by 2030.
Through this ambition, Côte d’Ivoire seeks not only to effectively meet the needs of its population but also to contribute to the health security of the entire West African sub-region, establishing itself as a key player in pharmaceutical sovereignty in Africa.