UNIDO advances pharmaceutical supply chain capacity building in Senegal
Dakar, Senegal, 3–7 November 2025: Senegal’s pharmaceutical sector has taken important steps toward a more traceable, reliable and resilient supply chain, with professionals across the industry gaining new capabilities to strengthen quality assurance, improve regulatory alignment, and enhance the integrity of health product distribution. Through targeted UNIDO-supported training at the at the GIZ Teranga Hub in Mermoz, participants acquired practical tools now being applied to reinforce national systems and reduce vulnerabilities in the supply chain. The workshops were delivered in two modules, aiming to enhance Senegal’s capacity in pharmaceutical Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and supplier management practices.
The GDP module (3–4 November) strengthened participants’ understanding of international GDP standards and their application within Senegal’s distribution systems. Participants gained concrete skills in quality system design, storage and handling oversight, documentation, transport operations, and regulatory compliance through practical simulation exercises. By the end of the workshop, several participating entities have already begun identifying gaps in their distribution chains and implementing corrective actions to mitigate risks related to product integrity and safety. The Supplier Management module (6–7 November) provided participants with actionable tools for evaluating, qualifying, and monitoring suppliers. Beneficiaries learned how to establish quality contracts, conduct supplier audits, and implement performance monitoring systems aligned with international benchmarks. These new capabilities are expected to lead to more reliable sourcing, reduced procurement vulnerabilities, and improved assurance of quality for medicines and health products entering the national supply chain.
“This week of training has been extremely enriching for the actors of Senegal’s pharmaceutical industry. Thanks to UNIDO and its trainers, we have seen a real strengthening of capacities across the sector. These sessions offered valuable moments of exchange, sharing, and benchmarking, allowing us to leave better equipped and with enhanced knowledge.” – Dr. Ababacar Ndoye, Lead Pharmacist, Medis laboratories, Senegal
These activities form part of the Strengthening Vaccine and Pharmaceutical Production in Senegal project, implemented by UNIDO financed under the framework of SenPharm initiative (Strengthening vaccine and pharmaceutical production in Senegal) implemented by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH). The project directly supports Senegal’s Plan to Revive Pharmaceutical Production (LAB), which aims to meet 50% of national demand for medicines and health products through local production by 2035.
Early outcomes from the training programme indicate improved cross-institutional collaboration, better alignment with international regulatory expectations, and increased capacity for future technology transfer initiatives—critical foundations for expanding domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.
For more information, please contact:
Project Coordinator: Rowan Ahmed: r.ahmed [at] unido.org
Project Manager: Alejandro Rivera Rojas: a.rivera-rojas [at] unido.org
