Partner Profiles

The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) is a strategic government program operating under Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, aiming to transform the country’s healthcare ecosystem by boosting local manufacturing of health products and technologies. In partnership with Empower Swiss, PVAC is establishing a Manufacturing Academy to strengthen production capacity, workforce skills, and innovation in Nigeria’s health sector. The initiative focuses on enhancing manufacturing infrastructure, logistics, healthcare delivery, and financing, while promoting strategic partnerships to drive sustainable growth and achieve a target of 70% local manufacturing by 2030.

The World Bank, in partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), plays a central role in advancing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). Through strategic financing and technical support, the World Bank helps overcome barriers to local production, enhances workforce capacity, and fosters sustainable growth aligned with Nigeria’s health security goals. Together, the World Bank and NMEP underpin the structured capacity assessment and the design of the integrated digital capacity-building solution led by Empower Swiss SARL’s Empower Academy Nigeria. This collaboration strengthens Nigeria’s healthcare value chain, boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing and workforce development under PVAC’s national framework.

Empower Swiss SARL is a global capacity-building organization registered in Switzerland, dedicated to strengthening institutional and human resource capacities in global health, life sciences, education, and humanitarian sectors. With over 15 years of experience, it develops professional training programs, including digital and academic qualifications co-accredited by partners like UNITAR and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Empower Swiss collaborates extensively with international health agencies and governments to deliver large-scale training, build regulatory system maturity, and promote health systems resilience, particularly across Africa and Asia.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) is a key sub-sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria representing over 120 local pharmaceutical manufacturers. Established in 1983, PMG-MAN promotes production of safe, quality, and affordable medicines in Nigeria, advocating for national self-sufficiency and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). It plays a vital role in strengthening the pharmaceutical industry through policy dialogue, capacity building, and regulatory collaboration for improved healthcare access in Nigeria.

The Regional Capability and Capacity Network (RCCN) is an initiative launched to build workforce skills and technical capacity in vaccine and pharmaceutical biomanufacturing across the African continent. RCCNs serve as regional hubs for training, research, and public health response, accelerating Africa's goal for vaccine self-sufficiency by 2040. Designated RCCNs include Institut Pasteur du Maroc (IPM) in Morocco and The Unified Procurement Authority (UPA) in Egypt (North Africa), Africa Biomanufacturing Institute (ABI) in Rwanda (East Africa), Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal (West Africa), and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) in Senegal plays a pivotal role as the West Africa RCCN, serving as a flagship institution for pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing capacity building across the region. Empower Academy Nigeria, in strategic partnership with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), serves as a key operational component of the West Africa RCCN. This collaboration focuses on advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing skills and workforce development, supporting Nigeria's and the region's efforts toward local health product self-sufficiency and capacity building.

The African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) is the African Union’s development arm, spearheading continental programs that strengthen health systems, promote sustainable financing, and drive innovative health solutions across Africa. The African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) initiative, under AUDA-NEPAD, aims to harmonize medicine regulations and expedite access to safe, effective, and affordable medical products. Together, AUDA-NEPAD and AMRH foster regulatory capacity building, support local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and enhance collaboration among national regulatory authorities to improve healthcare delivery and ensure timely access to high-quality medicines across Africa.

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is the autonomous training arm of the United Nations, established in 1963, dedicated to enhancing global decision-making and supporting effective country-level action worldwide. It provides innovative learning solutions in areas such as diplomacy, sustainable development, peace, and environmental management, focusing on developing the capacities of mainly developing countries and vulnerable populations. UNITAR plays a key role in equipping governments and stakeholders to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through inclusive and innovative training methodologies and global cooperative networks. In collaboration with Empower Academy Nigeria, UNITAR co-certifies the Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Management, offered as part of the academy’s course portfolio.

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global organization representing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and educators through 156 national member organizations worldwide. Founded in 1912, FIP’s mission is to advance global health by promoting pharmaceutical practice, sciences, and education to ensure safe, effective, and affordable medicines. It collaborates closely with the World Health Organization and other global bodies to strengthen the pharmacy profession and improve access to quality pharmaceutical care. FIP also organizes international congresses and supports professional development in the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice. In collaboration with Empower Swiss, the Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Management - part of the academy’s course portfolio is certified by FIP’s seal of approval.

The Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project, supported by the World Bank, is actively engaged in Nigeria's Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). IMPACT contributes by conducting comprehensive capacity assessments of local manufacturers of malaria commodities. It performs facility inspections, analyzes manufacturing capabilities, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. This data informs Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), in selecting qualified manufacturers, strengthening local production capacity. IMPACT also participates in stakeholder workshops to validate findings, supporting PVAC’s goal of boosting sustainable local pharmaceutical manufacturing and enhancing Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) is a professional body representing registered and licensed pharmacists working in Nigeria's pharmaceutical industry, particularly in manufacturing, importation, and drug distribution. It promotes the development of sound pharmacy practices, up-to-date education, and research within the industrial sector. NAIP plays a key role in advancing local pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation, with initiatives like the establishment of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Parks to promote self-sufficiency in essential medicines. It acts as the technical arm of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and is actively engaged in policy advocacy and capacity building to boost the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector.

Kano Independent Research Centre Trust (KIRCT) is a non-profit biomedical research institute established in 2013 through a partnership between Pfizer Inc. and the Kano State Government in Nigeria. It focuses on advancing biomedical and healthcare research on communicable and
non-communicable diseases with public health significance in Nigeria and Africa. KIRCT features one of Nigeria's largest genomic laboratories, including a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab and an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) laboratory. The center supports clinical studies, offers training programs in bioinformatics and genomics, and collaborates extensively with regional and international partners to strengthen healthcare research infrastructure and improve health outcomes in the region.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is a Nigerian government agency established in 1992 with the mandate to develop and nurture a dynamic science and engineering infrastructure base aimed at achieving home-initiated and sustained industrialization. NASENI focuses on capital goods research, production, and reverse engineering across diverse sectors such as engineering materials, industrial chemicals, scientific equipment, engineering accessories, power equipment, and mechanical tools. Operating through a network of specialized Development Institutes across Nigeria, NASENI drives technological innovation, supports local manufacturing, and fosters economic growth and job creation. The agency plays a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria's technological capacity and advancing indigenous solutions for sustainable industrial development.

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is an independent, non profit international organization dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for people in low and middle income countries. IVI works across the full vaccine spectrum—from laboratory research and clinical evaluation to policy support and capacity building—often in close partnership with governments, WHO, and regional initiatives. Working across research, partnerships, and capacity building, IVI supports vaccine R&D, clinical evaluation, and sustainable introduction in regions where vaccines are most needed. In Nigeria, IVI has collaborated on epidemiological and vaccine impact studies, signals a growing role in strengthening local vaccine manufacturing and “vaccine sovereignty” in Africa.