Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Ltd., a syringe producer based in Ogun State, has earned a significant global endorsement, becoming the first indigenous manufacturer in Nigeria—and the broader West and Central African region—to receive World Health Organisation prequalification for its 0.5ml Auto Disable (AD) Syringe.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Lagos by the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who described the development as a milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare manufacturing industry.
“This is undoubtedly the outcome of meaningful collaboration between Afrimedical and NAFDAC,” said Adeyeye. “It demonstrates the potential of local manufacturers when supported by effective regulatory guidance.”
The WHO prequalification makes Afrimedical’s syringes eligible for both national and international procurement, opening the door to contracts with global health agencies such as UNICEF and the Global Fund.
Adeyeye highlighted that Afrimedical is now recognised by WHO for compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, making it a trailblazer among West African medical device manufacturers.
She linked the success to reforms implemented by NAFDAC since 2019, including its 5+5 directive aimed at improving local industry standards.
NAFDAC said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the country’s vulnerability due to reliance on imported medical supplies, prompting a push to strengthen domestic capacity.
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Despite a combined annual production capacity of 2.5 billion syringes, only three of Nigeria’s seven syringe manufacturers are currently operational, functioning at below 20% capacity.
In response, NAFDAC initiated technical support programs to enhance product quality and compliance, and to help counter market resistance to locally made syringes.
Afrimedical’s General Manager, Gabi Al-Aridi, called the WHO prequalification “a major milestone” and credited government support and UNICEF’s technical guidance during the process.
The company now produces around 1.8 billion syringes annually and aims to scale further.
“We remain committed to producing world-class, locally made medical products,” said Al-Aridi, encouraging Nigerians to support indigenous manufacturing as a pathway to economic growth.