The agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation covering a range of essential products in the fields of women’s health, family planning, and neglected diseases.
The collaboration includes the local manufacturing of several essential medicines, representing a crucial contribution toward addressing significant gaps in access to these treatments across Africa.
The partnership also marks a pivotal step toward expanding the export of women’s health medicines to African markets, contributing to the continent’s efforts to improve women’s health and ensure sustainable access to high-quality medicines.
The announcement took place during a press conference held on the sidelines of the Third Conference on Population, Health, and Human Development, in the presence of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population; Dr. Awad Tag El-Din, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Health and Prevention and former Minister of Health; Dr. Ali Ghamraoui, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority; Dr. Hesham Stait, Head of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement; and high-level representatives from Minapharm and Bayer Global.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, affirmed that this collaboration embodies an important partnership between Minapharm—one of the leading national pharmaceutical companies in Egypt—and Bayer, one of the world’s largest and most reputable companies with a long-standing history of developing innovative medicines. He noted that the agreement represents a pivotal step toward strengthening Egypt’s pharmaceutical security and ensuring the availability of high-technology medicines for Egyptian citizens.
He added that Egypt enjoys a distinguished position as a regional hub for industry and export and has the capability to compete strongly in regional and Arab markets. He emphasized that the Egyptian state, under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, attaches great importance to localizing advanced industries and attracting major global companies to operate in the Egyptian market.
He pointed out that technology transfer is a fundamental pillar of the agreement, expressing the Egyptian state’s confidence in Bayer as a global partner and in Minapharm as a national company—reflecting the international community’s trust in Egypt’s industrial infrastructure and production capacity in the pharmaceutical sector.
Dr. Awad Tag El-Din, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Health and Prevention and former Minister of Health, highlighted the importance of collaboration between Egypt and global pharmaceutical companies for the localization of the pharmaceutical industry. He noted that the agreement between Minapharm and Bayer reflects Egypt’s strategic direction toward strengthening partnerships with major global pharmaceutical manufacturers, based on the belief that localizing advanced technologies and manufacturing expertise is a key pillar for transforming Egypt into a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
He emphasized that the state recognizes the pharmaceutical industry as a sovereign industry directly linked to citizens’ health and national security. Therefore, Egypt has established a comprehensive strategy to enhance local capabilities and create a favorable environment for global investment—contributing to technology transfer, the advancement of local manufacturing, reducing dependence on imports, and increasing export opportunities.
He added that the collaboration achieves multiple benefits, most notably enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian pharmaceuticals, reducing the import bill, and strengthening Egypt’s role as a strategic gateway for exports to Africa and the Middle East.
Dr. Wafik El-Bardissi, Chairman and CEO of Minapharm, affirmed that this partnership with Bayer reflects the mutual trust between both parties and aligns with Egypt’s vision for localizing the pharmaceutical industry and strengthening global partnerships.
He added that the partnership builds on Minapharm’s long-standing expertise in technology transfer to Egypt and its international collaborations with major global companies—experience that has established Minapharm as a leading industrial platform capable of supporting national health policy objectives and expanding export capabilities to regional and African markets.
Dr. Claus Runge, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Public Affairs, Sustainability, and International Engagement at Bayer, emphasized that Egypt holds strategic importance within Bayer’s regional supply chain system. With its strong infrastructure and geographic advantages, Egypt is a key partner for Bayer in expanding access to high-quality medicines. He added that Bayer’s partnership with Minapharm reflects its commitment to supporting Egypt’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in key therapeutic areas, including women’s health, through the localization of essential medicines manufacturing. This collaboration contributes to building a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system across the region.
This strategic partnership aligns with the national priorities of the Arab Republic of Egypt through three key pillars: enhancing local pharmaceutical manufacturing and technology transfer, supporting women’s health and family planning initiatives, and expanding Egypt’s pharmaceutical export capabilities to African markets.
Both Minapharm and Bayer reaffirmed their joint commitment to providing world-class medicines and supporting innovation and local manufacturing, ensuring that this collaboration contributes to building a healthier future for Egyptians and the African continent as a whole
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