TEHRAN – A total of sixteen Iranian knowledge-based companies will participate in the 24th MEDEXPO which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from April 17-19.

The Innovation and Prosperity Fund will support the Iranian delegation, and the Iran House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT) in Kenya will help them set up their pavilions.  

The knowledge-based companies will showcase their latest achievements and products in the medical, pharmaceutical, and laboratory equipment fields.

Over 35 countries will attend the 24th exhibition, and it will provide a great opportunity for the companies to showcase their latest achievements and strengthen ties with other countries, particularly in the African continent.

Holding B2B meetings with important clients, and visiting hospitals and private sectors active in the field of health are among the services offered to visitors.

MEDEXPO KENYA is the region’s most important medical and healthcare event for medical manufacturing products, equipment, machinery, services, and solutions.

The exhibition showcases innovative solutions from leading market players for the benefit of buyers from the medical technology industry, from across the East African region.

The event is an important stop for buyers from across East Africa seeking new products, equipment, machinery, services, and solutions in healthcare.

Kenya is a promising market for medical devices and has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing markets in the sub-Saharan Africa region according to Fitch and World Bank reports. The medical device sector is heavily reliant on imports with limited domestic production

Pharmaceutical companies to access East African markets

Eleven Iranian pharmaceutical manufacturing companies have taken important steps towards presenting their products in East African markets.

Thanks to the efforts of the iHiT in Kenya and the support of the Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, 13 different production lines in 11 pharmaceutical companies were inspected by the ministry of health of Kenya and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certificates were issued, IRIB reported.

The move plays an important role in strengthening the status of Iran's pharmaceutical industry in the region.

In January 2021, Iran opened its house of innovation and technology in Kenya and the first center in Africa.

The center serves as a base for the creation of innovative ideas, the commercialization of these ideas, and the export of Iranian knowledge-based products and services to the East African market.

Africa welcomes Iranian medical equipment, medicine

On December 19, 2023, the deputy health minister of Libya met with the head of the Food and Drug Administration of Iran, discussing ways to cooperate on producing medical and pharmaceutical products.

During the meeting, which was held in Tehran, the officials also agreed on sharing experiences in research, education, blood transfusion, emergency services, and technology.

“Iran is a leading country in the field of health so we are ready to cooperate with Iran in various fields of health and medicine,” IRNA quoted the Libyan official as saying.

He added Libya is interested in benefiting from Iran's experience and knowledge in the field of pharmaceutical production, medical equipment, and research.

Moreover, Mohammad Hossein Niknam, the deputy health minister for international cooperation, highlighting the importance of health in the world said, “Iran is ready to identify fields of cooperation and expand collaboration in the field of health with Libya.”

The parties put forward some proposals to further cooperation in the field of health. These proposals are to be reviewed and implemented in the coming days in meetings, during the visits of the delegation of the Libyan Ministry of Health to Iran’s health centers.

In July 2023, Iranian knowledge-based companies concluded contracts for exporting medical equipment and medicine to Africa.

Amir-Hossein Mir-Abadi, an official with the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, said the African market is an attractive opportunity for Iranian knowledge-based companies, IRNA reported.

Referring to the visit of President Ebrahim Raisi to Africa, Mir-Abadi said works are underway for exporting 50 types of medical equipment and 10 medicines to Africa.

He touched on the President's visit to the House of Innovation and Technology of Iran in Kenya, saying: “The capacities and capabilities of Iranian knowledge-based companies for exporting technological products were greatly appreciated.”

He also pointed to the establishment of a medical and pharmaceutical equipment exhibition with the presence of more than 10 Iranian knowledge-based companies in Kenya.

He added that two Iranian companies succeeded in concluding contracts in this exhibition.

The process of registering more than 50 medical devices and two drugs for export to Kenya has been done, and the registration and process of exporting more than 10 other drugs to this country is in the implementation phase, he explained.

He listed agriculture, food, and livestock industries as among the fields that were highly regarded and needed by African countries.

During his visits to Kenya and Uganda, President Raisi emphasized the need to bolster technological cooperation, Mir-Abadi stressed.

In Uganda, an exhibition for knowledge-based products was opened. In practice, an infrastructure has been created for boosting the export of knowledge-based products and the display of Iranian capabilities, the official added.

“The products presented there were mostly in the field of the food industry, agricultural industry, medicine and medical devices, chemical products and catalysts, building materials and products related to the field of livestock and poultry, as well as medicines and herbal supplements.”

MT/MG