How competition between Chinese and Indian firms could reshape Africa’s drug markets

How competition between Chinese and Indian firms could reshape Africa’s drug markets

Chinese firms’ growing share of the antimalarial market highlights how the country’s pharma industry is becoming increasingly competitive

China is challenging India’s long-held dominance of the African market for antimalarial drugs in 12 of the continent’s hardest-hit countries, according to a new study.

Last year, Chinese exports of antimalarial drugs reached US$89.3 million, nearly matching India’s US$89.6 million, according to Indian market research company Sol Gravitas.

The gap has closed significantly since 2021, when Indian exports stood at US$121 million compared with US$62.6 million for China.

Separately, the study examined Global Fund purchases for the same 12 countries plus Kenya between 2021 and 2025.