NEPZA backs $30m harvestfield medical zone to cut imports

Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), has said the newly approved Harvestfield Medical Free Trade Zone will significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medical products while strengthening local production capacity.

In a statement signed by Martins Odeh, Head of Corporate Communications at NEPZA, Ogunyemi made the remarks during the presentation of the Declaration of Licence and Operational Licence to the promoters of the zone in Abuja.

He described the Harvestfield Free Trade Zone (FTZ) as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing critical gaps in the country’s health sector, noting that it aligns with the Federal Government’s push to transform Nigeria into an export-driven economy.

“Harvestfield FTZ is strategic and focused on addressing key deficits in the health sector. This opens up a new opportunity for the country to become an exporter of health products.

“The Authority consistently supports trade and investment facilitation that drives economic growth and strengthens the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to transform the country into an export-oriented nation,” Ogunyemi said.

He urged medical investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s free trade zones to scale up domestic manufacturing of essential healthcare products and supplies. According to him, NEPZA remains committed to facilitating trade and investment that drive economic growth and support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Also speaking, Abdu Mukthar, Presidential Representative and National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC), said the zone emerged from the Presidential Executive Order on Local Manufacturing of Healthcare Products signed in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Mukthar explained that Danish conglomerate Vestergaard, reputed as the world’s largest insecticide-treated net manufacturer, is partnering with Nigerian business group Harvestfield through a joint venture, SNG Health, to establish a production facility within the zone.

According to the statement, The partners have committed $30 million to the project, with additional financial backing from smaller stakeholders. The facility, located in Ogun State, is expected to commence operations in April 2026 and will produce 10 million dual-insecticide-treated mosquito nets annually.

Mukthar said the first phase of production will meet 30 per cent of Nigeria’s insecticide net demand and generate an estimated 600 jobs.

He noted that the investment is critical to Nigeria’s malaria control efforts, as the country currently accounts for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden and 30 per cent of malaria-related deaths annually.

According to him, the Harvestfield Medical Free Trade Zone represents a major step toward localising healthcare manufacturing, reducing import bills, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s position within global health value chains.

“The new facility is expected to start production in April 2026 and will supply 30% of Nigeria’s insecticide net demand during the first phase. Currently, Nigeria accounts for 27% of the global malaria burden and 30% of all malaria deaths each year,’’ Murkthar said.

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