- Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals has begun construction of its first overseas manufacturing facility in Zambia.
Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has announced the initiation of construction for its first overseas manufacturing facility in Zambia.
The new facility is being established as a joint venture (JV) with the Government of the Republic of Zambia to manufacture and supply medicines for the country’s national health programme. Under the terms of the JV, Akums will hold a 51 per cent stake, while the Zambian authority will procure medicines worth at least $50 million (Rs 425 crore) over the next two years, from 2026 to 2027.
Located in Lusaka at the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone, the plant will be built on approximately 40 acres of land. The site aims to support Zambia’s efforts to achieve healthcare self-sufficiency and ensure a sustainable supply of medicines for the domestic market.
According to the company, the initiative aligns with Akums’ commitment to making high-quality and affordable medicines accessible to more people, particularly in regions with limited access to life-saving treatments. “Together with the Government of Zambia, led by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, we are building a future of medicine accessibility, healthcare self-sufficiency, and sustainable supply for Zambia and the wider COMESA and SADC regions,” the company stated.
