"This agreement was signed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indonesia and several African countries," director of Africa at the Directorate General of Asia, Pacific, and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty, informed in Bali on Monday.
The African countries are Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, and Namibia.
Several Indonesian companies were said to be involved in the collaboration, including PT Bio Farma, Bio Farma Group, Dexa Medica, Triton, and PT Pertiwi Agung (Mensa Group).
As per details of the cooperation, state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma has established strategic collaboration with Zimbabwe and Ghana. It has signed an MoU with Natpharm Zimbabwe for the registration, distribution, and marketing of pharmaceutical products.
Bio Farma has agreed to carry out technology transfer with Ghana's Atlantic Life Sciences by training staff from Ghana in Bandung and bulk API shipments.
Through the Bio Farma Group, Indonesia has also expanded cooperation with Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Bio Farma Group signed a master agreement for technology transfer collaboration with the Kenya Biovax Institute, Meidiwaty informed.
Bio Farma is collaborating with its Nigerian counterpart for the purchase of Td (Diphtheria and Tetanus) and measles vaccines by the Nigerian government, as well as pursuing technology transfer for vaccine production with BVNL Nigeria.
Furthermore, a sales agreement has been signed with Uganda for the marketing of pharmaceutical products, with sales estimated to start in 2026 or 2027.
PT Dexa Medica began exporting pharmaceutical products to Tanzania in 2023, with the export value projected to reach US$2.5–US$3.0 million in the next three years.
Meanwhile, PT Triton Manufactures has inked an agreement on syringe procurement for South Africa, and PT Pertiwi Agung (Mensa Group) has signed an agreement to purchase instant energy drinks from Namibia.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the cooperation was established based on the Bandung Spirit, which prioritizes solidarity and cooperation between Asian and African countries following the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference.
Guided by the Bandung Spirit, Indonesia and African nations are continuing to strengthen bilateral relations in the health sector and other mutually beneficial sectors.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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