Algerian Radio
The pharmaceutical sector offers vast opportunities for Algerian and Indian companies to realize joint investment projects and build a sustainable, mutually beneficial partnership, particularly targeting regional and African markets. This was the key message highlighted by participants at the India-Algeria Pharmaceutical Business Forum held on Thursday in Algiers.
Speaking on the occasion, Sihem Nafaa, the Director of Promotion and Support for Economic Exchanges at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, affirmed that "the pharmaceutical industry, as a strategic sector, holds exceptional opportunities for fruitful partnerships between Algeria and India," emphasizing the complementary strengths and potential of both nations.
In this context, she recalled that the pharmaceutical industry is among Algeria's strategic national priorities, having a dedicated ministry since 2020. She noted that joint efforts by public authorities and sector operators have allowed the country to increase the coverage rate of national needs with locally produced medicines to over 80%.
"Algeria has today become an indisputable African pharmaceutical hub, with more than 240 active pharmaceutical factories out of the 640 on the continent, not counting projects currently under construction," she specified.
According to Ms. Nafaa, Algeria aims to establish a strong partnership with India in the manufacturing of vitamins, dietary supplements, and generic medicines. She noted that India possesses recognized expertise, which would allow Indian companies to establish a lasting presence in African and Mediterranean markets via Algeria, thanks to its strategic geographical position and adapted infrastructure.
For his part, Younes Bouarara, Advisor to the Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry, emphasized that the sector constitutes "a major opportunity for a partnership based on technology transfer and local development," reaffirming the ministry's readiness to accompany and support Indian companies wishing to invest and develop projects in Algeria.
"This Forum offers a privileged platform for Algerian and Indian companies to identify concrete projects and lay the foundations for a sustainable partnership. Algeria is today open to investments that create value and aspires to become a regional hub for the production and export of pharmaceutical products, considering India as a strategic partner," he maintained.
New Partnership Projects on the Horizon
The Ambassador of India to Algeria, Swati Vijay Kulkarni, stated that "Algeria is a key partner for India and a true gateway to Europe and Africa," noting that the Indian delegation participating in the Forum includes nearly 100 operators representing over 65 pharmaceutical companies keenly interested in realizing investment projects.
"This visit testifies to our friendship and our common will to strengthen a mutually beneficial partnership in this strategic sector. For India, recognized as the 'pharmacy of the world' and one of the fastest-growing economies, Algeria remains a valuable partner," she declared.
The diplomat also noted that this interest comes within the context of the dynamic momentum in bilateral cooperation, adding that the trade volume reached 1.7 billion dollars in 2025.
She also announced the preparation of two cooperation projects between the two parties. The first concerns a partnership between Indian companies and the Algerian Center for Bioequivalence in the fields of research and scientific studies, while the second involves a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation in the field of medical devices.
Speaking in turn, the Director General of Pharmexcil (Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India), Raja Bhanu, expressed the interest of Indian companies in advanced forms of cooperation, such as contract manufacturing in Algeria, joint ventures, and technology transfers.
The India-Algeria Pharmaceutical Business Forum brought together representatives of Algerian companies in the sector, officials from several ministries, as well as representatives of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI), the National Agency for Pharmaceutical Products (ANPP), and members of the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI).
