NIGERIA BEGINS LOCAL PRODUCTION OF NEXT-GEN MOSQUITO NETS By Okwo Romeon

New factory targets 10m nets yearly, creates 600+ jobs in major boost to malaria fight

ABUJA — Nigeria has commenced local production of next-generation dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated mosquito nets, in a major boost to the country’s malaria prevention drive and efforts to build domestic capacity for essential health products.

The new facility, Health Textiles Nigeria FZE, owned by Vestergaard Sàrl, is the first in Nigeria to manufacture dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated nets designed to tackle the growing challenge of insecticide resistance.

The factory will produce PermaNet® Dual, Vestergaard’s mosquito net prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023.


At full production capacity, the facility is expected to manufacture about 10 million mosquito nets annually and create more than 600 jobs, with about 80 Nigerians already recruited and undergoing specialised training in manufacturing excellence, product quality, occupational health and safety, and regulatory compliance.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the commencement of production as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against malaria and the development of a stronger domestic healthcare manufacturing sector.

He said the investment aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Federal Government’s drive to unlock the healthcare value chain through investment, local production, technology transfer and stronger domestic capacity.

“This investment demonstrates what is possible when government policy, private-sector investment and technology transfer come together to unlock Nigeria’s healthcare value chain,” Pate said.

He added that local production would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to produce essential health commodities while contributing to a more resilient health system.

The establishment of Health Textiles Nigeria followed a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) aimed at strengthening local production of essential health products.

National Coordinator of PVAC, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, said the project demonstrated how government policy, investment and technology transfer could translate into productive capacity, employment and skills development.

Vestergaard Chief Executive Officer, Amar Ali, said the company was pleased to begin production in Nigeria, noting that the facility combines the company’s manufacturing expertise with Nigerian talent to produce advanced mosquito nets locally.

The development comes as Nigeria continues to carry a substantial share of the global malaria burden. WHO estimates that malaria caused 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths globally in 2024, with the African Region accounting for the overwhelming majority of cases and deaths.

With production now underway, Health Textiles Nigeria is expected to fulfil its first commercial orders in the coming months, potentially reducing dependence on imported malaria-prevention commodities while expanding local manufacturing capacity.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said domestic production would continue to be backed by stringent quality assurance, regulatory oversight and safety standards.

The ministry also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strategic investments, technology transfer and skills development under the Renewed Hope Health Agenda.

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