Nigeria has commenced local manufacturing of a new type of mosquito net designed to combat insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. The double-action nets, known as PermaNet Dual, combine two insecticides with different modes of action to kill mosquitoes that have developed resistance to traditional pyrethroid-based treatments.
The production facility, operated by Health Textiles Nigeria FZE—a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss-based Vestergaard—is located in the Lagos Free Zone. It is the first factory in Nigeria to manufacture insecticide-treated nets containing two active ingredients. At full capacity, the plant is expected to produce up to 10 million nets annually and employ more than 600 people.
Malaria burden in Nigeria
Nigeria continues to bear the heaviest malaria burden globally. According to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) data, Nigeria accounted for approximately 24.3% of all malaria cases worldwide and 30.3% of global malaria deaths in 2024. Estimates based on WHO figures put Nigeria's 2024 malaria cases at around 68.5 million, with roughly 184,830 deaths.
The new locally produced nets are part of Nigeria's response to this public health challenge. The country has historically relied heavily on imported mosquito nets, and local production is expected to shorten supply chains, build manufacturing expertise, and improve access to next-generation prevention tools.
How PermaNet Dual works
Standard insecticide-treated nets create a physical barrier between people and mosquitoes, with the insecticide killing or repelling insects that come into contact with the net. However, mosquitoes can develop resistance to pyrethroids, the class of insecticides traditionally used on many nets.
PermaNet Dual addresses this by combining deltamethrin, a pyrethroid, with chlorfenapyr, a pyrrole insecticide. If a mosquito is resistant to pyrethroids, the second insecticide provides an alternative mechanism to kill it. The WHO prequalified PermaNet Dual in 2023 and recommends pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr nets in areas where pyrethroid resistance has been documented.
Part of a broader malaria strategy
The WHO emphasises that dual-insecticide nets should be used as part of a comprehensive malaria-control programme, alongside testing and treatment, surveillance, and other mosquito-control measures. The nets are not considered a standalone solution.
The local production initiative aligns with Nigeria's broader push to manufacture more essential healthcare products domestically. By producing the newer nets locally, the country aims to strengthen its healthcare supply chain and reduce dependence on imports.
