Nigeria’s journey toward pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and strengthened healthcare infrastructure has reached a major milestone.
Orange Group and Dexa Medica, one of Indonesia’s premier pharmaceutical giants, officially broke ground on a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Lagos.
The new facility, named Orange Dexa, is the physical realization of a successful, three-decade-long partnership. It marks a pivotal moment in the drive to enhance the reliability and quality of medication supply for Nigerians through strategic international collaboration and significant local investment.
A Historic Partnership Takes Center Stage
The groundbreaking ceremony, held at Orange Group’s headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos State, brought together key stakeholders from the healthcare, regulatory, and business sectors. High-profile attendees included senior officials from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, alongside executive leadership from both the Dexa Medica Group and Orange Group.
Mr. Benny Sutisna Suwarno, President Director of PT Ferron Par Pharmaceuticals (an arm of the Dexa Group), celebrated the occasion, emphasizing the long-standing commitment: “Today we are all here together to celebrate a great partnership and even the beginning of new things. It has been a long time coming, 30 years doing business together. Now we are building a factory through our new joint venture, a combination of Orange Group and Dexa Medica to form Orange Dexa Pharmaceuticals Limited.”
Local Manufacturing, Global Quality, Affordable Healthcare
Mr. Ernest Ezenna, Orange Group’s General Manager, articulated the strategic vision behind this substantial investment: “We are indeed excited for this great leap. A major goal for this huge project is not just to localize manufacturing but also to provide high-quality products for most Nigerians. The more local the source is, the better it is for Nigerian consumers, especially in our collective effort with NAFDAC to combat counterfeit drugs.”
The Orange Dexa Factory builds upon the strong foundation of Dexa Medica’s nearly 30-year presence in Nigeria. Since 1996, its flagship pain-relief medication, Boska, has been a trusted household name and market leader, demonstrating the deep consumer trust and successful market engagement that define the collaboration.
Strategic Impact on Nigeria’s Healthcare Ecosystem
The establishment of the Orange Dexa Factory is more than just a facility; it is a catalyst for economic and healthcare advancement in Nigeria. This project is one of the most significant Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the country’s pharmaceutical sector, signalling robust international confidence.
Key benefits of the Orange Dexa Factory include:
Affordable Access to Quality Drugs: Local production eliminates many cost factors associated with importation, leading to more affordable pricing for high-quality, essential pharmaceutical products.
Reduced Import Dependence: Establishing local production capabilities for critical medications will substantially reduce Nigeria’s reliance on pharmaceutical imports, improving supply chain reliability and easing pressure on foreign exchange.
Job Creation and Knowledge Transfer: The complex will create numerous direct employment opportunities and facilitate comprehensive technology and knowledge transfer from Dexa Medica, building local expertise in advanced, internationally compliant (GMP) manufacturing processes.