2025

Marubeni to Participate in a Major Distributor of Healthcare Products in Africa

Jan. 27, 2025
Marubeni Corporation

Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni”) has concluded an agreement to make a strategic investment into Phillips Healthcare Corporation (hereinafter, “Phillips Pharma”)*1 which provides regulatory, sales and marketing, distribution, and related after-sales services for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics equipment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Under the agreement, Marubeni will support and facilitate the continued growth and expansion of Phillips Pharma in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Africa, population growth, economic development, and changes in lifestyles are leading to an increase in populations with access to medical care as well as growing needs for advanced treatments for non-infectious illnesses, such as lifestyle-related diseases. Consequently, the pharmaceutical market is expected to grow by over 10%*2 annually. Phillips Pharma is among the leading sales companies for healthcare products in Africa, and has expanded its business in the region by distributing a wide range of products from over one hundred of the world’s leading healthcare companies through partnerships with these companies.

Through this investment, Marubeni will leverage its extensive network among global healthcare companies to support and facilitate Phillips Pharma’s business activities aimed at improving health and wellness standards in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Marubeni has positioned the pharmaceutical business as a focus area among its next generation businesses, and has promoted business expansion through inroads into China, the Middle East, and other regions. In Africa, Marubeni has remained committed to improving the health and living standards of local communities, by means such as an anti-malarial drug development program*3, and has supported local startups by participating in the AAIC Fund*4.  Marubeni is endeavoring to create and develop new businesses in Africa, and will aim to continuously contribute to solving global healthcare and related issues. 

*1 Capital investment is scheduled to be implemented upon fulfillment of various conditions such as acquisition of permits and approvals in respective countries.

*2 Source: The Pharmaceutical Drug Global Market Research Report 2023

*3 Related News Release
・December 14, 2023 
Expansion of Pharmaceutical Business Initiatives: Development of a Novel Antimalarial Drug Utilizing the Funding Program of the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund)
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2023/release/00120.html

*4 Related News Release
・August 22, 2022
Investing in Fund Focused on the Healthcare Sector in Africa
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2022/release/00061.html

Phillips Pharma Overview
Company Name: Phillips Healthcare Corporation
Locations: Sub-Saharan Africa
Established: 1991
Main Business: Distribution of healthcare products
Website: https://phillipspharma.group/

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