Lagos: Health Textiles Nigeria FZE has begun operations as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat malaria. Vestergaard Sàrl announced the facility’s launch, highlighting its capacity to produce 10 million mosquito nets annually and employ over 600 Nigerians.
According to African Press Organization, the facility is the first in Nigeria to manufacture dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs). These nets, known as PermaNet® Dual, are Vestergaard’s most advanced solution against insecticide resistance and received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023. WHO has also recognized Health Textiles Nigeria as a production site for Vestergaard.
The Nigerian government has played a pivotal role in supporting this initiative, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing malaria prevention through local efforts. Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria, emphasized the importance of local production in strengthening th
e country’s health system and its fight against malaria. The collaboration between global expertise and local talent aims to build a resilient healthcare value chain in Nigeria.
The launch of Health Textiles Nigeria coincides with a critical period in the global fight against malaria. Since 2000, ITNs have helped avert 1.13 billion malaria cases. Despite these efforts, malaria remains a global health threat, particularly in Africa, which bears the brunt of the disease. Nigeria alone accounts for a significant portion of the world’s malaria cases.
Health Textiles Nigeria’s operations are part of an agreement established in a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). The agreement aims to bolster local production capacity, positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s first hub for manufacturing dual-active ingredient mosquito nets.
Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, highlighted the success achieved through
the alignment of investment, technology transfer, and policy. The MOU aimed to translate partnership into productive capacity, a goal now realized as Nigerian professionals are trained and production is underway.
Vestergaard, which owns Health Textiles Nigeria, has been a global leader in malaria prevention, supplying approximately one-third of all insecticide-treated nets procured worldwide since 2000. CEO Amar Ali expressed gratitude for the Nigerian government’s support and emphasized the facility’s potential to set a benchmark for malaria prevention manufacturing in Africa.
Health Textiles Nigeria has already recruited around 80 employees, focusing on quality and compliance through comprehensive training. As production scales up, the facility is expected to provide additional employment opportunities, fostering a skilled workforce for health-product manufacturing.
The facility reflects Vestergaard’s commitment to innovation and quality, with production designed to meet stringent global standards. As Af
rican countries prioritize local manufacturing of essential health products, Health Textiles Nigeria exemplifies how international expertise and local capability can merge to strengthen supply chains and improve access to critical health interventions. The first commercial orders are anticipated in the coming months.