The history of the African pharmaceutical molecules market has evolved significantly, marked by key shifts in manufacturing capabilities and healthcare needs. During the colonial era, Africa largely depended on imported pharmaceutical products, with traditional medicine playing a dominant role. After many nations gained independence in the 1960s, there was an increasing push to establish local pharmaceutical manufacturing, although political instability and limited infrastructure hindered growth. By the 1980s and 1990s, countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya started developing local production capabilities, particularly for generic drugs, with a focus on affordable medications as health crises such as HIV/AIDS escalated. The early 2000s saw further growth, spurred by public-private partnerships and foreign investments, as well as the establishment of regional initiatives such as the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) to standardize regulations. Today, the market continues to expand, with key players such as South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Nigeria leading in local production, though challenges such as regulatory differences and access to raw materials remain.
