The Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA), Dr Seima Dijeng, has called for a stronger and more competitive pharmaceutical sector in Botswana. Speaking at the Local Manufacturing Summit 2026 in Tlokweng, Dr Dijeng emphasised that pharmaceutical manufacturing is critical to the country’s economic resilience and health security.

He said Botswana must begin building “national sovereignty” in medicines and medical products, warning that the country cannot rely indefinitely on imports amid medicine shortages. Dr Dijeng highlighted BoMRA’s role in ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines, medical devices, veterinary products, and cosmetics.

He also outlined efforts to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing through faster licensing processes, regulatory partnerships, and proposed fee waivers for companies establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Botswana.

Currently, Botswana has only four (4) licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers and three (3) medical device manufacturers, most of which are focused on packaging rather than primary manufacturing. Dr Dijeng called for greater investment in local production capacity to strengthen resilience, create jobs, and support industrial growth.

He further emphasized that Botswana is leveraging regional partnerships such as ZAZIBONA and the African Medicines Agency (AMA) for regulatory harmonization though accelerate approval of medicines to improve access to quality health products across the continent.