NEPZA Hands Harvestfield FTZ Licenses, Curbing Medical Imports, Sparking 600 Jobs

By Linda Ike

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has handed over key licenses to Harvestfield Industries, a new Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Ogun State set to slash Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported medical products.

NEPZA Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi presented the Declaration and Operation Licenses to the zone’s promoters in Abuja, hailing it as a game-changer for local health manufacturing.

“Harvestfield FTZ is strategic and focused on addressing key deficits in the health sector. This opens up a new opportunity for the country to become an exporter of health products,” he said.

Ogunyemi urged medical investors to tap into free zones for boosted local production, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to build an export-driven economy.

The project stems from Tinubu’s 2024 Executive Order on Local Manufacturing of Healthcare Products.

Dr. Abdu Mukthar, Presidential and Ministry of Health Representative, noted it involves Danish giant Vestergaard, the world’s top insecticide net maker partnering with Nigerian firm Harvestfield via joint venture SNG Health.

The $30 million facility, backed by additional smaller investors, will produce 10 million dual-insecticide nets yearly, creating 600 jobs. Production kicks off in April 2026, covering 30% of Nigeria’s net demand in phase one.

Mukthar, National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC), highlighted Nigeria’s stark stats: 27% of global malaria cases and 30% of malaria deaths annually.

NEPZA continues championing trade and investment to fuel growth.