The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Nigeria's healthcare sovereignty through the local manufacture of medical diagnostic technologies.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, made the pledge while hosting participants of the Harvard University-led Science of Defeating Malaria programme at a closing dinner in Abuja. The event followed their visit to the NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies Factory.
The delegation, led by Prof. Dyann Wirth of Harvard University, comprised about 85 global health professionals, scientists and policymakers. They toured the state-of-the-art facility and described it as a significant step towards combating malaria and other infectious diseases across Africa.
Speaking at the dinner, Halilu said the commendation further validated the vision behind the NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies Factory. The strategic project was initiated 18 months ago to reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported diagnostic kits and strengthen local healthcare manufacturing capacity.
According to him, the facility is designed to produce up to 600 million diagnostic kits annually. This output is enough to meet about 80 per cent of Nigeria's diagnostic testing needs while creating export opportunities for other African countries and global markets.
The factory manufactures Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) products under the N-CheckUP brand. These tests cover diseases and conditions including malaria, hepatitis B and C, HIV, typhoid, syphilis, COVID-19, pregnancy and blood glucose monitoring.
Halilu said the project aligns with NASENI's broader mandate of deploying science, technology and innovation to address national challenges, create jobs and build industrial capacity.
He expressed appreciation to members of the delegation for recognising the progress made at the facility. He reaffirmed NASENI's commitment to developing innovative solutions that improve lives and position Nigeria as a leading healthcare manufacturing hub in Africa.
The Science of Defeating Malaria programme brings together global experts committed to advancing malaria elimination strategies and strengthening public health systems worldwide.
During the facility tour, members of the delegation described the factory as a crucial step towards establishing a fully Nigerian-owned diagnostic brand and reducing Africa's dependence on imported medical diagnostics.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies, Selim Hani, said the factory is the product of a strategic partnership between NASENI and Troment Nigeria Limited. The partnership aims at strengthening Nigeria's healthcare sovereignty through local production of diagnostic technologies.
“This facility, built from the ground up within the last 18 months, focuses on the manufacturing of RDTs and IVD products, enabling the early detection of major infectious and public health diseases,” he said.
Hani noted that the plant would significantly improve the accessibility and affordability of diagnostic services across Nigeria and the wider African region.
Also speaking, Technical Partner at NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies, Dr Engin Narinc, described the facility as Africa's first fully localised Rapid Diagnostic Test kit factory.
“From concept to full-scale launch, our end-to-end production process is designed to deliver world-class diagnostic solutions built entirely in Africa, for Africa,” he said.
Leader of the Harvard delegation and head of the Science of Defeating Malaria Initiative, Prof Dyann Wirth, described the facility as a major milestone in the fight against malaria and other infectious diseases.
“This is an amazing facility that will add tremendous value to efforts aimed at eradicating malaria and other public health diseases in Nigeria and across the continent,” she said.
