Follow Us on Google
By Doris Obinna
A Nigerian pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese firm, Ohara Pharmaceutical Company Limited, to transform Africa’s healthcare landscape.
The agreement was sealed during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), a key platform that fosters stronger ties between Japan and African countries. The deal signals a new phase in the partnership between the two companies.
Fidson’s delegation was led by the managing director/CEO, Mr. Abiola Adebayo, alongside finance director, Imokha Ayebae, and business development and marketing director, Oshoke Ayebae. They disclosed that the expanded alliance would see Ohara supporting Fidson’s capital raise and providing technical advice drawn from the Japanese pharmaceutical industry. This, they said, would boost Fidson’s capacity to produce specialized medicines for managing diverse disease conditions.
Adebayo described the agreement as a milestone in the company’s history, noting that presenting the alliance on a global stage such as TICAD reinforces its permanence. “Putting this strategic alliance on a world stage like TICAD emphasizes the fact that the Fidson-Ohara collaboration has come to stay,” he said. The foundation of the partnership was first laid in July 2019, following Fidson’s rights issue. At the time, Ohara transferred expertise and innovation in areas such as pediatric oncology and generic medicines, in a bid to reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported drugs. According to Adebayo, the partnership has since improved local production capacity, enhanced medicine quality and affordability, and cut dependence on foreign supplies.
Other News
The new commitment, he added, is expected to accelerate the transfer of advanced manufacturing processes and research capabilities, enabling Fidson to produce a wider range of high-quality medicines locally, including specialized drugs. The deal also opens access to Ohara’s portfolio of innovative medicines, positioning Fidson to better meet the rising demand for essential and life-saving treatments in Africa.
Adebayo further highlighted that the alliance would strengthen Fidson’s operations in critical areas such as active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production and other breakthrough innovations pioneered by Ohara.
On his part, president and CEO, Ohara Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Dr. Seiji Ohara, said the partnership was rooted in trust built over years of collaboration. “We at Ohara are delighted to have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding based on this trust, allowing us to explore ways to further strengthen our relationship with Fidson.
“Going forward, we hope to contribute to the realisation of two key values: the growth of Fidson’s business and the mission of saving more lives by maintaining our excellent partnership and connecting them with the latest innovations and technologies,” he said.
The collaboration is being hailed as a model for how international partnerships can drive structural transformation in Africa’s healthcare sector, shifting it from dependence on imports to a production-driven system.
