Nigeria Partners China to Build First Insulin Production Plant

Nigeria’s National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Shanghai Haiqi Industrial Company Ltd. of China to establish the country’s first insulin production plant.

The deal, signed on Wednesday in Abuja by NBRDA’s Director-General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, and Shanghai Haiqi’s General Manager, Mr. Bokai Zhai, was witnessed by Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Boost for Health Security

The facility will reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported insulin, saving billions of naira in foreign exchange annually. It will also expand access to affordable, high-quality insulin for millions of diabetes patients who currently face shortages and high costs.

Prof. Mustapha described the move as a turning point for Nigeria’s healthcare and biotechnology sectors, with potential to supply other African nations.

Wider Benefits

• Minister Nnaji said the project will drive industrial innovation, reduce dependence on imports, and provide relief for families affected by diabetes.
• Shanghai Haiqi’s Bokai Zhai pledged technology transfer, local capacity building, and long-term support for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.

Regional Impact

As one of the few insulin production plants on the African continent, the facility is expected to enhance healthcare delivery, create jobs, strengthen industrial growth, and position Nigeria as a leader in biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation across Africa.