Medical professionals preparing HIV test kits in Botswana’s drug industry facility, supporting local healthcare initiatives.
Botswana is seeking to build a local pharmaceutical industry after a medicine shortage forced the country to declare a public health emergency last year. Health Minister Stephen Modise said the government is negotiating with international manufacturers, particularly from India, to produce generic drugs locally and train Botswana’s workforce to eventually run production themselves. The push comes as falling diamond revenues and reduced foreign aid exposed vulnerabilities in the health system and strained public finances. Officials are also exploring regional partnerships with South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to pool procurement and lower drug costs. By investing in domestic drug production, Botswana hopes to reduce import dependence, strengthen supply chains, and better withstand future economic and health shocks.
Semafor