Formal Handover of the Ovihemba Pharmaceutical Laboratory

The formal handover of the Ovihemba Pharmaceutical Laboratory took place this Wednesday, 19 November, in Huambo Province, marking an important milestone in strengthening Angola’s national capacity for the production of essential medicines.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Vice-Governor of Huambo for Technical Services and Infrastructure, Edgar Marcelino dos Santos Hilário, on behalf of Governor Pereira Alfredo; by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the FSDEA, Armando Manuel; members of the Fund’s Board of Directors; the management and investors of the Green Field FCR Fund; the management company Delta Capital; representatives of the banking sector; and other institutional guests.

Located in the industrial zone of Bairro São Pedro, the unit is expected to begin production and commercialisation shortly. By the end of 2026, the factory is projected to produce 50 million paracetamol tablets, increasing to 100 million tablets in 2027 with the introduction of two additional medicines. From 2028 onwards, annual production is expected to stabilise at around 100 million tablets, including paracetamol, enalapril, bactrim and coartem.

The project will commence operations with 32 direct jobs and 26 indirect jobs. It benefits from the presence of higher education institutions in the province, which serve as important sources of qualified talent. Huambo’s central location also enables efficient distribution across the country and to neighbouring markets, while ensuring more competitive operating costs compared to Luanda.

During the ceremony, Vice-Governor Edgar Marcelino dos Santos Hilário, speaking on behalf of Governor Pereira Alfredo, expressed full political support for the initiative. He emphasised that the provincial executive is committed to creating the conditions necessary for the full operation of the enterprise — from facilitating essential infrastructure to ensuring the institutional support required for the project to progress with safety, quality and long-term impact for the province.

The Chairman of the FSDEA, Armando Manuel, reaffirmed the Fund’s strong commitment to the project, noting that the pharmaceutical industry is one of the priority sectors within the FSDEA’s long-term alternative investment strategy. He stressed that 'the role of the FSDEA today is to co-invest, identify strategic initiatives and high-impact projects, and create the conditions for the Sovereign Wealth Fund to mobilise resources and leverage its institutional convening power to accelerate their implementation.'

Representing the Greenfield FCR Fund, Advisory Board member Paulette Lopes explained that the decision to establish the pharmaceutical factory in Huambo was

driven by decisive strategic factors: the province’s central location, the presence of several universities ensuring a qualified workforce, and the proximity to the Lobito Corridor, which enhances logistical and distribution capacity throughout the country and across the region.

With this investment, Huambo consolidates its position as an emerging hub of Angola’s pharmaceutical industry, promoting employment, innovation and greater autonomy in the production of essential medicines.