Victoria Mbangwa
In a groundbreaking achievement for Nigeria’s manufacturing and healthcare industries, AFRI Medical Manufacturing and Supplies Ltd has become the first company in West and Central Africa to secure World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualification for its 0.5ml auto-disabled syringes a move that now opens doors for global export and international procurement.
The landmark announcement was made by the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, at a press conference in Lagos. She hailed the certification not only as a triumph for AFRI Medical but as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s industrial and health sectors.
“This feat was not achieved overnight.
It results from a rigorous process, heavy investment by AFRI Medical, and consistent guidance and support from NAFDAC. Adeyeye said. “Today, their product is on the WHO list of pre-qualified medical devices, making it eligible for international procurement by UNICEF and other global bodies.”
She revealed that the WHO certification means AFRI Medical’s syringes can now be procured by international organizations such as UNICEF, significantly raising Nigeria’s profile in the global medical device supply chain. According to her, this breakthrough reflects years of preparation, investment, and strategic regulatory reform.
NAFDAC played a key role in shepherding this success, having begun laying the groundwork in 2019 with targeted policies like the “5+5” directive, which discourages the long-term importation of products that can be produced locally. Prof. Adeyeye explained that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the dangers of over-reliance on imported medical equipment and prompted a more aggressive push to bolster local manufacturing.
“We discovered how fragile our reliance on imported medical devices can be. This prompted us to evaluate the quality of locally manufactured syringes. While some products met the required standards, others did not, prompting our technical support and monitoring program,” she explained.
AFRI Medical emerged from this process as a standout example of what Nigerian firms can achieve with determination, quality focus, and regulatory alignment. Their journey included rigorous laboratory testing, field inspections, and sustained collaboration with NAFDAC.
The certification is more than a badge of honor it positions Nigeria to become a regional hub for the export of essential medical devices, contributing to national economic growth while boosting healthcare resilience.
Prof. Adeyeye urged other manufacturers to pursue international certification, emphasizing that global competitiveness is within reach. “The results were shared with manufacturers, and today, AFRI Medical stands as a shining example of what can be achieved.”
