Tanzania aims for 70% domestic medicine production by 2030
Government has provided conflicting targets for local drug manufacturing, creating uncertainty about the goal.
Tanzania aims to produce 70 per cent of its medicine needs by 2030, a significant increase from the current 20 per cent. Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa announced this ambition at the Tanzania Pharmaceutical Technologists Association conference in Arusha. Achieving this goal would reduce the nation's reliance on imported medicines, which strains foreign exchange reserves and creates vulnerability during global health crises.
However, the government has presented inconsistent targets for domestic medicine production. In January 2026, Minister Mchengerwa stated a goal of 65 per cent, while the Medical Stores Department later published an 80 per cent target. On October 13, 2026, the Ministry of Health informed Parliament of a target exceeding 60 per cent, adding further confusion.
Questions remain about how the percentage target is measured, whether it includes medical devices and laboratory products, and the specific growth rate required to meet the goal. The current domestic production meets about 20 per cent of national demand, according to the Ministry of Health.
Why it mattersTanzanians' access to essential medicines and medical supplies is at stake due to unclear government targets for domestic production.