Tanzania has shown strong interest in working with Belarus to improve its pharmaceutical industry and reduce its reliance on imported medicines. This was made known by the Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mr. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, during his recent visit to Belarus. He spoke at a meeting with the Belarusian Minister of Healthcare, Mr. Aleksandr Khodzhayev, which took place at the Belmedpreparaty pharmaceutical company.
Mr. Majaliwa said Tanzania is ready to support investors from Belarus who are interested in setting up pharmaceutical businesses in the country. He noted that under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Tanzanian government has been pushing reforms to make the business environment more attractive for both local and foreign investors.
He explained that pharmaceutical development is now a top priority in Tanzania, and the government is offering different types of support through various government agencies. These agencies, according to him, are available to help Belarusian investors register their businesses, obtain licenses, secure drug certifications, and benefit from tax exemptions and other government incentives.
Mr. Majaliwa pointed out that talks have already started between both countries, and he expressed hope that they will end in successful cooperation. He stressed that success in this partnership is very important for Tanzania as it tries to build a stronger local pharmaceutical industry.
He also said that Tanzania is well-positioned geographically to serve as a distribution hub to nearby countries. According to him, Belarus can use Tanzania as an entry point to access markets in neighbouring African nations, making any investment even more valuable.
The Tanzanian leader further revealed that the country currently imports around 80 percent of the medicines used by its population, while only 20 percent is produced locally. He described this as a good opportunity for companies that want to set up drug production facilities in the country, as the demand is already high.
On his part, Mr. Aleksandr Khodzhayev, the Health Minister of Belarus, thanked the Tanzanian delegation for showing interest in Belarusian pharmaceutical products and expertise. He said Belarus has achieved a high level of pharmaceutical self-sufficiency, with more than 90 percent of medicines used in Belarusian hospitals produced locally. These drugs, though mainly generics, are made using modern equipment and are subject to strict quality control.
During the visit, the Tanzanian team was given a tour of a production facility for oral anti-cancer drugs. Mr. Khodzhayev emphasized that Belarus maintains high production standards and uses advanced machines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of its drugs.
To strengthen this new partnership, both countries agreed that a team of Belarusian pharmaceutical companies will soon travel to Tanzania. The aim of the visit is to study the local market and see how to start business operations that will benefit both nations. The Belarusian minister said the collaboration would be rolled out in stages, with all challenges addressed one step at a time.
This move aligns with Tanzania’s broader goal of developing its healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, creating jobs, saving foreign exchange spent on drug imports, and making medicines more accessible and affordable to its citizens.
The growing relationship between Tanzania and Belarus could also serve as an example of how African nations can partner with other regions to improve key sectors like healthcare. With the right support, Tanzania could soon become a major producer and supplier of affordable medicines in East and Southern Africa.
