Des contrats de 400 millions de dollars en vue   – Le Jeune Indépendant

A showcase of choice to the Algerian industry.

The fourth edition of the intra-African trade fair (IATF 2025), organized in Algiers, offered a showcase of choice to the Algerian pharmaceutical industry, called to play an engine role in African economic cooperation and the quest for health sovereignty of the continent, where the prospects promise to be promising with contracts of $ 400 million Algerian and their African counterparts.

Visiting this Sunday at the Palais des Expositions des Pins-Maritimes, at Safex, the Minister of the Pharmaceutical Industry, Wassim Kouidri, was very optimistic about the outcome of the exchanges between the various operators. “In the pharmaceutical sector, we have recorded the participation of 22 Algerian operators and the prospects suggest that the conclusion of agreements with their African counterparts would be assessed at nearly $ 400 million,” said Kouidri, adding that after four days of opening the 4e Edition of the IATF, he believes that “it’s a successful edition”.

For the minister, the holding of this continental event in Algiers marks an important step in the consolidation of South-South cooperation. The pharmaceutical industry is at the top of the strategic sectors capable of providing concrete solutions to the needs of the African continent. “With more than 1.4 billion inhabitants, or 20 % of the world’s population, Africa only contributes 4 % to world production of drugs. One in four African people suffer from a disease requiring treatment, which illustrates the gap between needs and production capacities, “he said.

The figures speak for themselves. While the global drug market reached $ 1,645 billion in 2024, the African market only represents $ 27 billion. A considerable gap which, according to Mr. Kouidri, constitutes “a major strategic opportunity”. By investing in research, innovation and local production, Africa could build an integrated and competitive pharmaceutical industry, guaranteeing the health sovereignty of its peoples, said the minister.

Algeria aims to strengthen its exports but still comes up against regulatory constraints. “Our main handicap remains linked to the LM3 regulation level, which limits the recording and massive marketing of our products. We aim to reach level 4 of regulatory maturity, and an assessment of the WHO is scheduled for the end of October, “said the minister. Obtaining this status would allow Algeria to facilitate the approval of its drugs on the African and international scale, thus opening up new perspectives to its operators.

Algerian companies on the front line

This ambition is also reflected in the dynamism of Algerian companies in the pharmaceutical industry present at the IATF. This is the case of Sadid Diagnopharm, specializing in the manufacture of medical devices and reagents, which benefits from this event for the conclusion of agreements with several African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia.

“We already export to Mauritania, Chad and Tunisia, and we aim to expand our presence on the continent. Our products, designed with local technology and manufactured by Algerian skills, constitute national pride, “said Abdessalam El Bachir Izri, representative of the company.

Since 2018, Sadid Diagnopharm has manufactured different types of medical reagents – ranging from blood sugar tests to immunology and biochemistry analyzes – as well as diagnostic devices. The company has particularly distinguished itself during the Pandemic of Covid-19, by producing hydroalcoholic frost and masks. “Our objective is to democratize access to medical analyzes and to contribute to the health sovereignty of Africa,” added Mr. Izri.

With several exclusive partnerships and contracts concluded with university hospitals in Algeria, the company now wishes to win on the African market. For her, the IATF represents a unique opportunity to multiply partnerships and to align with the vision of the Algerian authorities, which encourage African economic integration.