Swiss healthcare company, Roche Diagnostics, has opened a new office in Nigeria to improve access to innovative healthcare and boost diagnostic services in the country and across Anglophone West Africa. The company says the new legal entity in Nigeria will help it get closer to patients, doctors, and partners in the region.
The announcement was made by the Country Manager for Roche Diagnostics Africa, Mr. Roberto Taboada, during an event held in Lagos. He said the move is a major step towards achieving sustainable healthcare in Nigeria and across the continent.
“This new setup is a significant step towards achieving sustainable healthcare transformation in Nigeria,” Taboada said. “It aligns with Roche’s 10-year diagnostics strategy for Africa. Our goal is to increase access to in vitro diagnostics by ten times over the next decade.”
He explained that Africa is home to over 1.5 billion people and 54 countries but still carries about 25 percent of the global disease burden. Unfortunately, the continent only receives about one percent of the global health budget and is served by only three percent of the global health workforce. This, he said, makes it important for international healthcare companies to invest more in Africa’s healthcare systems.
According to Taboada, the new Roche Diagnostics Nigeria office will serve as the company’s regional headquarters for English-speaking countries in West Africa. These include Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. He said the local presence would allow Roche to work more closely with customers, improve delivery timelines, and help strengthen the country’s healthcare supply chain.
“This Nigerian entity will allow us to work directly with our customers and partners. We will be able to deliver faster, respond to needs more quickly, and help Nigeria move closer to achieving universal health coverage,” he said.
Also speaking at the event was Mr. Jonathan Keytel, Director of Strategy and Innovation, Africa, for Roche Diagnostics. He said Nigeria is a key part of Roche’s long-term plans for Africa. He said the new office will play an important role in delivering better healthcare outcomes through diagnostic innovation.
“Nigeria is a critical partner in Roche’s mission,” Keytel said. “Our 10x Africa strategy is about growth, access, and innovation. We want to grow in Africa, provide more people with access to diagnostics, and create business models that work for Africa’s unique challenges.”
Keytel noted that the Nigerian office will bring Roche closer to doctors, laboratories, hospitals, and patients. He said this would help improve logistics, reduce turnaround times, and lead to faster diagnoses and treatment.
He stressed that improving diagnostic services is important for better health outcomes. Early diagnosis means diseases can be treated before they get worse, which also reduces the cost of healthcare.
“Our presence in Nigeria is not just about business. It’s about helping to build strong, resilient health systems. We want to work with Nigerians to create solutions that fit Nigeria’s needs. What works in Europe or America may not always work here, but together, we can come up with ideas that do,” Keytel said.
He added that Roche is committed to working with the Nigerian government, civil society organisations, and healthcare providers to improve patient care.
“This new office strengthens our commitment to delivering innovative diagnostic solutions in places where they are needed most. Nigeria is a major market, and this investment shows our belief in the country’s potential to lead healthcare innovation in Africa,” he added.
Roche Diagnostics is known around the world for its role in developing diagnostic tools that help detect diseases like cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases. The company’s investment in Nigeria is expected to support the country’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and reduce the burden of disease across West Africa.
