MOSCOW, October 29. /TASS/. Russia increased its pharmaceutical exports to Africa by 28% year-on-year in January-August 2026, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said at the Russia-Africa Forum.

"Last year, exports of Russian pharmaceuticals to Africa increased by more than half. In the first eight months of this year, we have seen a further 28% increase compared to last year, so the dynamics are quite positive," the minister said.

According to Alikhanov, although the volumes remain relatively small in absolute terms, the growth shows that there is demand for Russian pharmaceuticals on the African continent.

"We understand that our colleagues and friends want to develop production in their own countries. Therefore, the priority for us and our pharmaceutical companies is the gradual localization of production in markets where we currently supply only finished products," Alikhanov said.

In Algeria, Biocad is carrying out the primary packaging stage for oncology drugs and is also working to expand its range of medicines. Meanwhile, in Tanzania, Rapid Bio is establishing a production hub for rapid tests for HIV, hepatitis, and flu. The project is expected to launch within the next three months.

"The finished products manufactured in Tanzania are intended not only to meet the country’s healthcare needs but also to be exported to countries in East and Southern Africa. This approach, in which we establish production hubs and use them to enter the markets of neighboring countries, will become our new strategy for localizing production and promoting our technological platforms for export," the industry and trade minister noted.