Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt and South Korea strengthen pharmaceutical partnerships, eye African markets
Seoul – Egypt’s ambitions to become Africa’s premier pharmaceutical hub took center stage this week, as Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), led a series of pivotal meetings with leading officials and executives from South Korea’s largest pharmaceutical organizations during the AIRIS 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence.
In a noteworthy gathering, Dr. El-Ghamrawy met with Mr. Noh Yun-hong, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA), which represents the largest biomedical manufacturers in South Korea. The discussions focused on the promising investment opportunities in Egypt’s growing pharmaceutical sector.
Dr. El-Ghamrawy highlighted Egypt’s robust industrial capacity and reliable regulatory system, describing the country as the “golden gateway” for international companies seeking access to Africa’s dynamic and expanding medicine market. “Egypt is the first African country whose regulatory authority has achieved WHO Maturity Level 3 status, a testament to our efficiency and global standards,” Dr. El-Ghamrawy noted. He added that Egypt commands 27 percent of Africa’s pharmaceutical market, with 179 medicines factories, 150 medical supplies manufacturers, and several plants dedicated to biological and raw materials production.
Mr. Noh Yun-hong shared his admiration for Egypt’s rapid advances in pharmaceutical production and regulatory capacity in recent years. “The Egyptian market is a strategic launching point for South Korea to access Africa. We are eager to build strong partnerships with Egypt,” he said.
The series of meetings also included productive discussions with Mr. Kang Seok-yeon, Director General of the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation of Korea. The two sides agreed to move forward with concrete steps for technical and regulatory collaboration in the near future to support shared interests and capacity building.
Dr. Osama Hatem, EDA’s Assistant Chairman for International Policy and Markets, represented Egypt during the sessions, underscoring the depth of Egyptian expertise and the government's commitment to global best practices.
These talks come amid flourishing ties between Egypt and South Korea in health and medicine, with growing cooperation in manufacturing, research, and technical expertise. The collaboration reflects both countries’ shared desire for innovative and sustainable partnerships that anchor pharmaceutical security—regionally and globally.
Egypt’s visible presence at AIRIS 2025 signals its determination to expand international cooperation with the world’s leading pharmaceutical and regulatory institutions. It also reflects the international community’s growing trust in Egypt’s pivotal role as an integrated, reliable partner in the health sector—and as a key regional gateway connecting Africa with the world.