Grow your business with the Discover newsletter
Logistics advice & insights straight to your inbox
Subscribe now
Over the past two decades, Nigeria's population has exploded. To meet the healthcare needs of this booming population, the sector would require an injection of $82 billion. This demand has driven inflation to a staggering 24.6% as of April 2024. While these numbers paint a picture of a nationwide challenge, they also illuminate a vast landscape of opportunities for SMEs ready to rise to the occasion.
Unreliable power supply is a major challenge for healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Rural health facilities spent a whopping ₦1.36 million on power annually as of 2021. That figure will be higher now that tariffs have spiked. With over 34,000 health centres across Nigeria, this is a massive market with a positive social impact. SMEs can install rooftop solar panels or develop microgrids to ensure consistent electricity, even during outages.
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry is worth $1.5 billion, but imports over 70% of its pharmaceuticals, primarily because there’s not enough local production. Despite its large population, the country has less than 150 local pharmaceutical companies. This shows an opportunity for SMEs to either build their own production facilities or collaborate with existing manufacturers to produce essential generic drugs.
Local production is hard work. And for many, it’s too much work. However, if selling is your superpower, there’s plenty of room for you outside the factories. For instance, you can act as a bridge between foreign, reputable suppliers and Nigerian healthcare facilities, ensuring access to genuine and effective medications. Also, you can focus on building robust distribution networks and creating a system that efficiently delivers essential medicines to pharmacies and hospitals throughout Nigeria.
How do we know this is a huge market? Nigeria accounts for 60% of West Africa’s drug consumption. There’s definitely room for more importers and distributors.
Outdated machines slow down businesses, and hospitals are no different! In Nigeria, many hospitals can't afford brand-new fancy equipment. And that’s where "leasing" comes in!
It's like renting the equipment instead of buying it. This lets hospitals use the latest machines without spending all their money upfront. They can make smaller payments over time, which frees up cash for other things. This helps hospitals take better care of patients and stay ahead of the competition.
Leasing also lets them get high-quality used equipment, which is much cheaper. By working with good leasing companies, hospitals can be sure they're getting machines that work well.
To truly transform Nigeria's healthcare landscape, SMEs must be willing to join forces with other stakeholders. Collaborations with established healthcare providers, technology firms, and government agencies can provide the necessary resources and market access to drive growth.
In the realm of logistics, partnering with international experts like DHL can be a game-changer. By tapping into DHL's extensive network and expertise in handling healthcare products, SMEs can ensure the timely delivery of medical supplies across Nigeria. You can open a business account with DHL to streamline your logistics, benefiting from their extensive network and expertise in handling healthcare products.
Nigeria's healthcare sector stands on the precipice of transformation. By seizing the opportunities before them and forging strategic partnerships, SMEs can play a pivotal role in shaping this future. They can drive innovation, improve access to quality care, and help Nigeria build a healthier, wealthier tomorrow.