Following the 3rd Africa-Turkey Summit held in Istanbul in December 2021, Turk Ilac, a leading Turkish company in the production of medicines and vaccines, has set up a joint action plan with Interglobe IEG to build seven parenteral solution production plants on the continent, starting with Angola, Benin, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea, Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal.
Listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange since 2021, Turk Ilaç is one of the largest Turkish companies specialized in the production of pharmaceutical products, particularly vaccines and serum.
Between 2022 to 2024, Turk Ilaç plans to establish seven integrated production plants in Africa, replicating the successful model implemented in Turkey. Turk Ilaç’s factories will be located in Angola, Benin, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea, Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal following agreements with these governments.
Turk Ilaç is the main supplier of the national vaccine immunization program, and now seeks to expand into Africa, bringing its experience, expertise and know-how to contribute to the emergence of an African pharmaceutical industry.
“The development of these seven production units across Africa is of vital importance for the sustainable development not only of the African people, but also for the global economy as a whole.” said Mehmet Berat Battal, Chairman of Turk Ilaç.
Turk Ilaç can further strengthen and expand its footprint in one single trading block to create shared value for their investors and Africa. In addition to the investments of Turkish medicine in the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, encouraging steps have been taken in the field of sub-industry production, which is an indispensable part of the sector. By making use of all the industrial capabilities of TURK ILAC group companies serving under Battal Holding in its country, it has succeeded in realizing low-cost integrated productions that do not compromise on quality.
Turk Ilaç, which has a strong financial structure, stated that they do not hesitate to take any steps in this regard and that they are pleased to be supported by both the authorities of the country to be invested and Afriexim and some other related funds. As a result of the meetings held with the heads of the countries where the investment will be made and the relevant authorities, Turk Ilaç, which received very good feedback on the purchase guarantee and place allocation in order to encourage local production to set out.
This ambitious action plan and expansion project was developed and signed following the Turkey-Africa Summit by InterGlobe, an American company specialized in finding investment opportunities in Africa for foreign companies.
Turk Ilac’s action plan for the continent is to focus on four key areas:
- Investment in the pharmaceutical sector in Africa to ensure health and wellbeing for all;
- Transfer of advanced technology and best practices in Africa;
- Promotion of women’s employment;
- Research and development.
This plan is in line with the agreements signed between InterGlobe and the AfCFTA (Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement) aiming to develop a home-grown pharmaceutical industry, by creating jobs, attracting foreign investment and facilitating the transfer of technology in Africa.
At the signing of the action plan, Interglobe IEG Executive Chairman Bunmi Jinadu said, “It is quite concerning that trade between African countries only accounts for 18% of global trade. We believe that supporting the development of a sustainable pharmaceutical industry in Africa is a powerful contribution to achieving the SDGs. The AfCFTA will help accelerate and deepen trade within Africa and between Africa and other continents, it will be a catalyst for sustainable development to Africa for generations to come.”
COVID-19 showed how supply chain disruptions can affect production cycles and blocks around the world. Also, a slowdown in drug production and rising prices has had a global impact on pharmaceutical supply, especially for Africa as a net importer of medical and pharmaceutical products.
TURK Pharmaceuticals and Serum Industry Inc. started its operations in 2010 within BATTAL Holding. Turk Ilac’s main field of activity is the production of drugs and vaccines. It recently established the first and only vaccine production facility in Turkey as a private company. The production facilities of TURK Ilac ve Serum Sanayi A.Ş., in Akyurt region of ANKARA, have a total area of 56,000 square meters to date; the plants are equipped with the most advanced technologies and all production equipment has been designed in accordance with international standards. All productions are carried out in accordance with the current principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). TURK Pharmaceuticals and Serum Industry Inc. pursues its activities in the Turkish pharmaceutical industry within the framework of ethical and scientific values.
Interglobe IEG is an American company with an African footprint, supporting international businesses and institutions to understand how to better engage with Africa. Since 1990, its team of economic development strategists and professionals from different fields (banking, insurance, agriculture, supply chain, manufacturing…) gathered to support various business initiatives in order to establish a strategy on how to attract direct investments through economic development for sub-Saharan Africa. Interglobe IEG’s goal is to ensure that those businesses correctly align values and resources to ensure a sustainable development of the African continent. Interglobe IEG has a strong partnership with the African Continental Free trade agreement to support Africa’s sustainable development.