The Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, has said that Harvestfield Industries, a newly approved Free Trade Zone (FTZ) specialising in medical products, will significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported healthcare supplies.
Dr. Ogunyemi made the disclosure in Abuja while presenting the Declaration of Licence and Operation Licence to the promoters of the zone.
According to a statement issued by Martins Odeh, Head of Corporate Communications at Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, the NEPZA boss urged medical investors to take advantage of the country’s free trade zones to boost local production of medical products and supplies.
Describing Harvestfield FTZ as strategic, Ogunyemi said the initiative is focused on addressing critical gaps in the health sector.
“Harvestfield FTZ is strategic and focused on addressing key deficits in the health sector. This opens up a new opportunity for the country to become an exporter of health products,” he said.
He added that the Authority remains committed to supporting trade and investment facilitation that drives economic growth and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria into an export-oriented economy.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Abdu Mukthar, Presidential and Federal Ministry of Health representative, said the Harvestfield FTZ emerged from the Presidential Executive Order on Local Manufacturing of Healthcare Products signed in 2024 by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mukthar explained that Danish conglomerate Vestergaard, the world’s largest insecticide-treated net manufacturer, is partnering with Nigerian business group Harvestfield through a joint venture, SNG Health, to establish the facility.
He disclosed that the companies plan to produce 10 million dual-insecticide-treated nets annually, creating an estimated 600 jobs in Ogun State.
Mukthar, who also serves as National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC), said the partners have invested $30 million in the project, with additional funding commitments from smaller stakeholders.
According to him, the facility is expected to commence production in April 2026 and will supply about 30 per cent of Nigeria’s insecticide-treated net demand in its first phase.
He noted that Nigeria currently accounts for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden and 30 per cent of malaria related deaths annually, underscoring the importance of expanding local manufacturing capacity in the health sector.