RDB CEO Tours Labophar Plant as Huye Investment Spotlight Plant Expansion

4 hours ago EDITOR

Labophar Plant

HUYE, Rwanda — Rwanda Development Board CEO Jean-Guy Afrika visited Labophar Plant on September 30 during Huye Investment Forum. He reviewed operations at one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. The visit underscored the site’s importance to national health manufacturing and its potential to expand production capacity.

Additionally, the discussion covered plans to expand production of intravenous fluids. Officials noted that this would strengthen healthcare supply chains.

The tour examined Labophar’s manufacturing, quality control, research and development, and medicine distribution activities. It also covered construction of a new facility intended to raise capacity and introduce IV fluid production.

Additionally, discussions covered the company’s growth plans, operational challenges, and the support required to accelerate industrial investment in Huye District.

Huye Investment Forum Highlights for Labophar Plant

The Huye Investment Forum, held the same day, brought together public and private sector leaders. Participants included investors, development partners, entrepreneurs, and academics under the theme of positioning the district as a destination for investment. The event presented opportunities in education, agriculture, tourism, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and services, including Labophar Plant initiatives.

Afrika told participants that secondary cities such as Huye can support national growth through education, tourism, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. This creates scope for production and value addition. Huye District officials and RDB investment staff outlined available support for investors.

Labophar, based in Huye (formerly Butare), traces local pharmaceutical production to 1983.

In April 2024, the company was acquired from Government of Rwanda by Depot Pharmaceutique et Matériel Médical Kalisimbi (DPMMK) Ltd. Since the privatization, management has invested in rehabilitating existing plant and building an adjacent facility for IV fluids in bags.

It has received Rwanda FDA GMP certification for non-sterile oral liquids and topical preparations.

Company and partner materials describe the IV project as aiming for continental-scale output.

Additionally, full regulatory commissioning is targeted around 2027. Additional land has been acquired for later phases that could include beta-lactam antibiotics and other essential medicines.

The manufacturer holds a preferred supply agreement with Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd. Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd is the government entity responsible for public procurement of essential healthcare supplies. Additionally, this arrangement supports reliable access to essential items.

In August 2025, Labophar signed a joint-venture and technology-transfer agreement with Qatar-based Philex Pharmaceuticals. The goal is to localize production of solid dosage forms. Additionally, Philex partnered with Rwanda Medical Supply as a local technical representative.

RDB’s account of the forum noted that the Labophar visit underscored Huye’s emerging role.

Moreover, it signaled Huye’s growing status as a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The expansion forms part of broader efforts to increase local production of essential medicines and reduce reliance on imports. This strategy aims to strengthen supply security for patients and healthcare systems. It also supports local employment by expanding manufacturing capabilities. Continued investment will facilitate future product lines and regional competition.

Earlier reporting in 2025 indicated management expected syrup, cream, and ointment lines to be operating by early 2026. Additionally, further dosage forms were to follow, and the planned IV bag line uses newer technology than traditional bottles. This aligns with regional demand for versatile, modern packaging and faster product rollout.