New Delhi: Akums, a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization, has entered into a joint venture with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to establish a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Zambia.
The initiative aims to provide affordable, high-quality generic medicines to patients in Zambia while also serving neighboring African markets.
Akums and GRZ Joint Venture Details
The new facility will be developed under a joint venture company headquartered in Zambia. Akums will hold a 51% stake, while GRZ, through its nominated state instrumentality, will hold 49%.
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The joint venture will be managed by a board comprising representatives from both partners. The venture is expected to be formally established by Q3 FY26, with construction of the facility commencing soon after.
Commercial production is targeted to begin in Q3 FY28, subject to regulatory approvals. The facility will manufacture a diverse range of pharmaceutical products, including tablets, hard gelatin capsules, liquids, injectables, and beta-lactam formulations.
Zambia to Source Essential Medicines from Akums
To meet immediate healthcare needs, the Government of Zambia has committed to procuring a minimum of USD 25 million worth of essential medicines annually from Akums’ facilities in India during 2026 and 2027.
Strategic Importance of Zambia’s Pharma Market
Zambia, among the fastest-growing economies in Africa, is projected to register GDP growth exceeding 6% in 2025. The country’s pharmaceutical market is expected to expand by over 10% annually and surpass USD 300 million by 2030.
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Presently, more than 75% of Zambia’s essential medicines are imported. The establishment of the Akums-GRZ facility will reduce import dependency, enhance healthcare self-reliance, and position Zambia as a regional hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The partnership also presents export potential to Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique, with a combined population of over 450 million.
Akums’ First Overseas Manufacturing Venture
Commenting on the development, Sanjeev Jain, Managing Director of Akums, said: “We are proud to partner with GRZ to deliver high-quality, affordable medicines manufacturing for Zambia’s healthcare system. This is our first manufacturing partnership outside India and aligns with our vision of becoming a global CDMO.”
About Akums
Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited is the largest India-focused contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). The company operates 11 manufacturing facilities for formulations and 2 facilities for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). With more than 4,000 formulations across 60+ dosage forms, 4 advanced R&D centers, over 1,000 DCGI approvals, and 250+ first-time-in-India product approvals, Akums continues to play a key role in the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem.
