The second article in our thought leadership series comes from Dr Lloyd Matowe. In his piece, he makes for case for increased private sector involvement in education and the pharmaceutical sector. Policy reforms should incentivise local pharmaceutical manufacturing, he says, while regional collaboration, under frameworks such as the AfCFTA, can harmonise procurement policies, strengthen pooled purchasing and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.
For decades, African health supply chains have relied heavily on donor funding for essential medicines, equipment and training of human resources. However, declining aid and shifting global priorities necessitate a transition towards sustainable financing models. African countries are adapting and workforce development is a major focus; this includes private sector engagement and policy reforms such as the ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Increased private sector education provision in Zambia
We are already seeing the private sector play a more significant role in health supply chains, filling gaps left by dwindling donor support.
In Zambia, there has been a rise in private institutions training pharmacists and supply chain professionals. The University of Zambia (UNZA) has traditionally dominated health training but private colleges, including Lusaka Apex Medical University, Manica University, the University of Lusaka and Texila American University, now offer competitive programmes. This shift has increased the number of graduates but also raised concerns about the job prospects for these young professionals. Private sector involvement in training ensures a steady pipeline of professionals, even though the increased volume of students requires stronger regulatory oversight. In areas of increased competition, professionals are compelled to innovate. I thus call on African countries to open up tertiary education to the private sector to further grow the pool of qualified pharmacists and health supply chain professionals and stimulate innovation. In the long term, these professionals will step into roles that were previously funded by donor technical assistance. In Zambia, the government is actively promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce reliance on donor-funded health products and mitigate risks associated with external sourcing, such as supply chain disruptions and high import costs. Through national policies like the Industrialisation and Job Creation Strategy, incentives such as tax breaks and public-private partnerships are being offered to attract investment in domestic pharmaceutical production. The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has streamlined regulatory processes to fast-track approvals for locally-manufactured essential medicines. Additionally, initiatives like the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) local procurement quotas prioritise Zambian-made products, fostering market stability.
The growth of private pharmacies in Liberia
Liberia’s pharmaceutical sector is transitioning from donor-dependent models to market-driven retail pharmacies. Post-Ebola, the number of private pharmacies has increased from around 70 to over 300, reducing reliance on public sector sourced and donated products. Now, the Pharmaceutical Society of Liberia, supported by the government, is exploring partnerships with Manufacturers in India to strengthen local pharmaceutical production and distribution, ensuring sustainability beyond donor aid.
Curricula must reflect the changed landscape
To sustainably address evolving challenges in Africa’s health supply chains, including funding gaps, reduced technical assistance and shifting global dynamics, pharmacy and supply chain curricula must be adapted to emphasise local resilience, private sector engagement and self-sufficiency. Training programmes should integrate entrepreneurship, digital logistics tools (such as AI-driven forecasting and blockchain for transparency) and local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce dependence on donor-funded imports. Given the decline in global donor-funded technical assistance, curricula must strengthen South-South collaboration, leveraging expertise from regional institutions and emerging economies. Additionally, courses should cover health financing models, such as national insurance schemes and public-private partnerships, to mitigate funding shortfalls.
With the rise of nationalist policies such as protectionist trade measures in the Global North, African training institutions must also emphasise local sourcing strategies, regulatory harmonisation under the AfCFTA and crisis preparedness to ensure the continued availability of medicine. By cultivating a workforce skilled in adaptive, homegrown solutions, Africa can develop sustainable supply chains that are less vulnerable to external disruptions.
We need political will and policy change
Policy alignment and political will are critical to addressing Africa’s public health supply chain challenges. Governments must prioritise domestic health financing mechanisms, such as mandatory health insurance schemes and strategic health taxes, to reduce reliance on unpredictable donor funding. Policy reforms should incentivise local pharmaceutical manufacturing through tax breaks, public-private partnerships and streamlined regulatory processes to boost self-sufficiency. Regional collaboration, under frameworks such as the AfCFTA, can harmonise procurement policies, strengthen pooled purchasing and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. Additionally, political leaders must encourage and pursue South-South cooperation, leveraging partnerships with emerging economies to replace the dwindling technical support from Western countries. By enacting legislation that prioritises long-term supply chain resilience—backed by sustained budgetary commitments—African nations can mitigate external disruptions and build sustainable, sovereign health systems. Strong leadership and cross-sector policy coherence are essential to transforming supply chains from aid-dependent models to self-reliant, locally-driven ecosystems
The bottom line: Countries must take responsibility
The decline in donor funding means that African countries must take responsibility for their health supply chain workforce and health system strengthening and financing. Private sector engagement, curriculum reforms and policy shifts are all critical. Countries like Zambia and Liberia illustrate both opportunities and challenges in transitioning to self-sustaining models. Rwanda’s universal coverage system demonstrates the potential of insurance schemes in stabilising health financing. African governments must foster partnerships, invest in workforce development and enact policies that promote long-term supply chain resilience.
Lloyd Matowe, PhD, is the Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Manica University in Zambia. He is also a director of PICMA Africa Limited and CEO of Pharmaceutical Systems Africa.
References
Walid Klibi, Lester Brian Shawa &, Marcia Mkansi. Supply Chains in Africa: Current Status and Emerging Trends. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal. Volume 26, 2025 - Issue 2: Supply Chains in Africa: Current Status and Emerging Trends. Available @https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16258312.2025.2500120
