Kilinto pharmaceutical industrial park set to open

The Kilinto pharmaceutical industrial park south of Addis Ababa is set to begin operation in June this year following a $204 million investment aimed at expanding Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical industry and reducing the country’s reliance on imports.

Local companies are able to supply just 90 of the approximately 380 essential drugs, meaning that Ethiopia is forced to import around 80% of its needs in terms of drugs and medical equipment. China and India are two of its main trading partners for supplies of generic drugs.

Kilinto will cover a total area of 207 hectares and will include 18 kilometres of paved roads, basic social services, green spaces, warehouses, showrooms and car parks.

The Kilinto park will not only attract pharmaceutical multinationals but will also serve to expand the local industry, which is currently worth between $500 million and $800 million per year.

According to government forecasts, the sector may grow by up to 25% over the next four years and pass the $1 billion mark by the end of 2018. However, Ethiopia is still well short of the goal set in 2010 of reaching 50% of its pharmaceutical autonomy by 2015.