Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd has entered into a joint venture with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Zambia. The initiative aims to produce high-quality, affordable generic medicines for the Zambian market and, in the future, export to neighboring countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
The joint venture company, to be headquartered in Zambia, will see Akums hold a 51% stake while GRZ, through its nominated state entity, will own 49%. Both partners will contribute to the project in line with their shareholding. The facility is expected to be incorporated by Q3 FY26, after which construction will commence. Commercial supplies are projected to begin by Q3 FY28, subject to regulatory clearances. The plant will manufacture tablets, capsules, liquids, injectables, and beta-lactam products.
In the interim, the Zambian government has committed to procure essential medicines worth at least USD 25 million annually from Akums’ Indian plants during 2026 and 2027 to meet immediate healthcare requirements. Zambia, with GDP growth projected above 6% in 2025, is witnessing rapid expansion of its pharmaceutical sector, which is expected to grow over 10% annually and exceed USD 300 million by 2030.
Currently, more than 75% of its essential medicines are imported, and the partnership is expected to reduce dependency while positioning Zambia as a regional hub for pharmaceuticals within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Sanjeev Jain, Managing Director of Akums, said the collaboration marks the company’s first overseas manufacturing partnership and aligns with its vision of emerging as a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO).
Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals is India’s largest CDMO with 11 formulation manufacturing facilities, two API plants, and four R&D centers. The company produces more than 4,000 formulations across 60 dosage forms and holds over 1,000 DCGI approvals, including 250+ first-time approvals in India.
