Only 20% of medicines consumed in Kenya are produced locally—creating a massive investment opportunity in the pharmaceutical sector, Dr. George Karanja, National Director at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), has said.

Dr. Karanja was speaking during a high-level panel on “Africa Healthcare Megatrends” at the Equinox Outsourced Service China-Africa Business Forum, where he represented KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto.

He noted that while Kenya has the necessary raw materials and ingredients to manufacture medicinal drugs, the country still lacks the requisite technology and infrastructure. “What we need is investment in technology, not ingredients,” Dr. Karanja emphasized.

He encouraged international pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare investors—particularly those from China—to take advantage of Kenya’s investment-ready platforms, such as Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs). These zones offer a streamlined, cost-effective environment for setting up manufacturing operations, with favorable tax regimes, logistics support, and policy incentives.

“Kenya’s Special Economic Zones are purpose-built to help investors set up quickly, economically, and with ease of doing business at the center,” Dr. Karanja stated.

The panel discussion touched on the broader trends in Africa’s healthcare landscape, with panelists agreeing that Africa must move from being primarily an importer of medicines to becoming a continental producer—starting with countries like Kenya that already have the human capital and growing demand.

Dr. Karanja reaffirmed KNCCI’s commitment to facilitating partnerships between Kenyan enterprises and international investors to help scale up pharmaceutical production, enhance healthcare access, and reduce import dependency.