The European Union (EU) and France, have put down €10.2 million funding under the Global Gateway’s Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+) Initiative to advance Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and strengthen local health systems.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the just concluded Nigeria-EU Health Investment Forum in Abuja, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said that the €10.2 million (including €10 million from the EU and €200,000 co-financing from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs).
The 44-month project (2025-2028) will be implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), and other local partners.
The project, which is named Quality Uplift for Advancing Local Industry in Medicine Standards (Qualimeds Nigeria), aims to bolster Nigeria’s pharmaceutical ecosystem by expanding the local production of quality-assured medicines, improving access to essential health technologies, and promoting research-based innovation.
He stated: “Let’s combine the strength of our EU-Nigeria official partnership, EU-ECOWAS official partnership, with the dynamism of our companies on both sides to achieve a common goal: making Nigeria healthcare life-saving and sustainable, diversified, accessible, and affordable for all Nigerians, creating jobs and opportunities.
”Mignot expressed his wish to expand this vision across the rest of West Africa and the continent.
France’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, underscored France’s commitment to the partnership through the Global Health Strategy.
He said: “I am very proud that France, through the French Development Agency, is truly contributing to the implementation of the Qualimeds Nigeria project, as part of the Team Europe initiative. It truly reflects our shared values and collective commitment to strengthening health systems, advancing equity, and empowering communities through improved access to essential products and services.”
The Director – General/CEO of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe, said that through laboratory modernisation, technology transfer, and workforce training, the project is expected to boost Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in medicines and vaccines, enhance regulatory compliance, and promote gender equity in biomanufacturing and research.
