HFN, PVAC sign pact to deepen private partnership in healthcare
The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen private sector partnership in healthcare.
The pact aimed to foster joint policy advocacy, coordinated investment promotion, and strengthen key areas of the healthcare value chain.
The agreement was signed in Abuja on Wednesday during a High-Level Roundtable on Local Manufacturing of Medicines in Nigeria, organised by HFN in collaboration with PVAC, the West Africa Private Healthcare Federation (FOASPS), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the World Bank.
Themed ‘Strengthening Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing for Sustainable Health Security in Africa, ’ the event brought together leaders from government, industry, civil society, and regional institutions to chart a course for advancing pharmaceutical self-sufficiency in Nigeria.
The MoU establishes a formal framework for cooperation between PVAC and HFN to drive strategic investments, policy advocacy, and joint initiatives aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for Nigerians.
Under the agreement, both parties will work together to enhance key components of the healthcare value chain, including local manufacturing, diagnostics, supply chain efficiency, and workforce development.
Read also: PVAC building ecosystem that allows local manufacturers thrive – national coordinator
The partnership also seeks to mobilise private sector investments and foster an enabling environment for innovation and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the health sector.
Speaking during the ceremony, Abdu Mukhtar, national coordinator of PVAC, emphasised that the collaboration aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s healthcare sector by promoting domestic production, curbing outbound medical tourism, and creating sustainable jobs through local value creation.
“Our goal is clear, to ensure that by 2030, Nigeria produces at least 70 percent of its essential healthcare products locally,” Mukhtar said. “We have moved beyond planning to execution, and this collaboration with HFN will accelerate that shift by mobilising the private sector’s innovation, investment, and expertise.”
Mukhtar emphasised that local manufacturing is critical not only for public health and job creation but also for national security.
“With a population of over 130 million people, Nigeria cannot afford to remain dependent on imports for its essential medicines and health technologies,” he noted.
“This partnership marks a crucial step in unlocking the immense potential of Nigeria’s healthcare industry,” said Muktar. “By working with HFN, we are ensuring that the private sector plays an active and coordinated role in building a resilient healthcare ecosystem that meets the needs of our citizens.”
In her remarks, Njide Ndili, president of HFN, stated that the collaboration reaffirms HFN’s commitment to bridging the gap between government and private sector stakeholders to improve access and quality of care.
“HFN has consistently advocated for greater private sector engagement in health system development,” she said. “This MoU with PVAC provides a structured platform to channel expertise, investments, and innovation toward building a stronger, more self-reliant healthcare system.”
The MoU will be implemented over an initial period of three years, with both parties agreeing to jointly pursue policy reforms, investment promotion, and capacity development initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s health sector.
Discussions during the roundtable focused on strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry through harmonised regulatory standards, sustainable financing mechanisms, digital innovation, and human capacity development.
Participants called for effective implementation of the Nigeria First policy, blended financing for pharmaceutical SMEs, and increased government commitment to purchasing locally manufactured medical products as a matter of national security.
PVAC was established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2023 to drive policies that increase local production of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare technologies, while reducing reliance on imports.
The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is a coalition of private healthcare sector stakeholders dedicated to supporting the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through private-sector engagement and activation. Through advocacy, partnerships, and innovation, HFN works to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors and promote sustainable growth across Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to translating these commitments into tangible outcomes, advancing Nigeria’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical and medical product manufacturing by 2030.
