COMESA Launches Major Tender to Boost Regional Pharmaceutical Testing Capacity
LUSAKA – The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has initiated a significant procurement process to equip laboratories across its member states, marking a critical step in strengthening the region’s pharmaceutical sector. The tender, funded by the African Development Fund, seeks suppliers for the comprehensive supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of laboratory testing equipment, including essential training for end-users.
A Strategic Investment in Regional Health Security
This initiative is a core component of the broader COMESA Support Towards Regional Pharmaceutical Sector Development (CSTRPSD) Project. The move is widely seen as a direct response to long-standing vulnerabilities in Africa’s medical supply chain, which were starkly exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By building indigenous capacity for quality control and testing, COMESA aims to reduce reliance on imported medicines and ensure that drugs circulating within the 21-member-state bloc meet international safety and efficacy standards.
“This isn’t just a procurement notice; it’s a strategic investment in regional self-reliance,” explains a public health analyst familiar with the region. “Robust laboratory infrastructure is the bedrock of a functional pharmaceutical industry. It enables local manufacturers to test their products, ensures imports are safe, and builds trust in the regional market.”
Procurement Details and Timeline
The bidding process is being conducted via Open Competitive Bidding (International) in line with the African Development Bank’s procurement framework. A notable feature of the tender is its flexibility: bidders can submit proposals for one or multiple items or lots, with the option to offer volume-based discounts. This approach is designed to attract a wide range of suppliers, from specialized equipment manufacturers to larger integrated solution providers.
The contract demands a swift turnaround, with a delivery timeline of just 6-8 weeks from the signing of the contract to various sites across the COMESA region. The deadline for bid submissions is January 30, 2026, at 10:00 Hours Lusaka time.
Beyond Equipment: Building Human Capital
A crucial, and often overlooked, aspect of this tender is the mandatory inclusion of end-user training. The provision of sophisticated equipment is futile without the local expertise to operate and maintain it. By embedding training into the contract, COMESA and the African Development Fund are ensuring that this investment yields sustainable, long-term benefits, fostering a new generation of skilled laboratory technicians and scientists within the region.
This holistic approach—combining hardware with knowledge transfer—addresses a common pitfall in development projects where technology is delivered without the necessary support systems, leading to equipment lying dormant and unused.
The Broader Context: A Resilient African Pharmaceutical Industry
This tender aligns with continental ambitions, such as the African Union’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, which seeks to elevate the continent’s role in producing its own essential medicines. The African Development Bank’s financial backing underscores the strategic importance of this sector for economic development and public health resilience.
For eligible bidders, this represents a significant opportunity to contribute to a high-impact development project while gaining a foothold in a growing market. For the people of Eastern and Southern Africa, it is a concrete step towards more accessible, affordable, and, most importantly, trustworthy medical products.
Interested parties can obtain further information and download the bidding documents from the COMESA Secretariat website. The designated contact is Mr. Kondanani Miti, Procurement Expert.
This report was based on the original tender announcement published by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which can be accessed via the source link.