Namibia and Cuba have agreed to explore the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Namibia, following discussions held during a courtesy visit by Cuban Ambassador Sergio Vigoa De La Uz to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.
The proposed facility would draw on Cuba’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical expertise, with the long-term objective of enabling Namibia to achieve greater self-reliance in the supply of essential medicines. The plant could also position Namibia as a regional supplier to the Southern African Development Community and other export markets.
“The project is envisaged to boost economic cooperation between the two countries, enabling Namibia to become self-reliant in the supply of pharmaceutical products and potentially export to the SADC region and beyond,” the Prime Minister’s office said.
The two sides also discussed the possible introduction of Cuba’s Family Doctor Concept in Namibia, as well as the consideration of cultural and youth exchange programmes to strengthen bilateral relations.
According to the Prime Minister’s office, the discussions come at a time when Namibia is reforming its pharmaceutical procurement system amid calls to bypass intermediaries who inflate costs charged to the Ministry of Health, while also addressing persistent medicine shortages in public health facilities.
The Ministry of Health last year disclosed that it had saved approximately N$221 million by procuring essential medicines directly from international manufacturers and wholesalers, rather than through intermediaries.
Despite nearly N$1.9 billion, or about 15.5% of the ministry’s total budget, being allocated to pharmaceutical and clinical supplies in the 2025/26 financial year, shortages have persisted. The challenges have been attributed to the absence of long-term supply contracts, global supply chain disruptions, inefficiencies in warehousing and inventory systems, and weak accountability mechanisms.
Over the past two years, service levels at the Central Medical Stores have fallen below 57%, significantly short of the required 80% benchmark, resulting in widespread stock-outs that have affected patient care.
Other reforms under consideration include securing long-term supply agreements with manufacturers, establishing a new access-controlled and centralised warehousing facility, introducing modern tracking and financial management systems, and excluding underperforming suppliers.
