GlaxoSmithKline has multimillion pound plans for Sub-Saharan Africa.

04 Apr 2014 ThisDay Live shares a report from the Telegraph that GlaxoSmithKline is poised to announce a multimillion pound investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, to step up its presence in the region.

Britain’s biggest drug maker plans to build up to five new factories, creating hundreds of jobs. The company already manufactures drugs in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa and is looking at sites in Ghana, Ethiopia and Rwanda for its new facilities.

The company’s chief executive, Sir Andrew Witty, will make the announcement at the EU-Africa Business Summit holding in Brussels on the 2nd and 3rd of April. He will also announce investment in research and development activities across Africa.

He is quoted as saying “The transformation of Africa into a successful growth region is one area that we need to focus on, there is a great opportunity for business to play a role, alongside governments and other agencies, to help deliver improved infrastructure and create prosperity to lift people out of poverty for good.”

We’re told that GSK reinforced its presence in the continent last year by partnering with Save the Children. It is broadening access to vaccines, investing in health workers, improving child nutrition and researching new medicines. Programmes have been launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.

GSK is also in the advanced stages of developing the world’s first malaria vaccine, which could make a “significant impact” on the health of millions of young children. The company has already committed to selling the vaccine on a not-for-profit basis, but has not yet disclosed how much it will cost to manufacture.