Sudan pharmaceutical sector losses exceed $1 billion as conflict halts production

February 12, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector has suffered losses exceeding $1 billion due to the ongoing conflict, with production chains devastated and critical technical staff fleeing the country, an industry official said on Thursday.

The war has impacted 85% of Sudan’s industrial sector. In Khartoum state, factories that once produced 80 varieties of essential medicines have either been destroyed or forced to halt operations due to insecurity, according to official data.

Khaled Wada’a, a member of the Chamber of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, told the Sudan Tribune that direct structural damage to facilities is estimated at more than $200 million.

“Total losses, including the disruption of production chains, have surpassed the $1 billion mark,” Wada’a said.

The damage extends beyond physical infrastructure. Wada’a cited the theft of electrical cables and the destruction of production lines as major setbacks. Furthermore, between 40% and 60% of specialized technical personnel have emigrated, leaving a massive expertise gap in a sector that requires highly precise skills.

Despite the damage, six factories have resumed production, including the Blue Nile, GMC, and Wafra plants. These facilities are currently supplying essential treatments for hypertension and diabetes, as well as antibiotics.

Wada’a said another 10 factories are expected to restart by the end of March following technical calibration. However, he noted that the lack of stable electricity remains the primary obstacle, forcing plants to rely on expensive diesel and solar power.

The chamber is calling on the government to establish a bank-led financing portfolio to support the purchase of raw materials and the rehabilitation of plants.

The crisis has severely undermined Sudan’s self-sufficiency. A 2024 report by the National Medicines and Poisons Board noted a near-total paralysis of the industry, while the National Medical Supplies Fund reported that strategic stocks of essential medicines have plummeted to less than 20% of pre-war levels.