Nigerians to see faster diagnosis of cancer, HIV, other diseases – Roche

In a bid to transform diagnostic services and  drive improved healthcare in Nigeria and by extension West Africa, Global healthcare giant, Roche Diagnostics, recently launched a new legal entity in Lagos.

The move, announced in Lagos, positions Nigeria as a strategic base to drive Roche’s 10-Year Diagnostics Strategy for Africa.

The new entity is expected to significantly improve access to in-vitro diagnostic services across Anglophone West Africa by streamlining supply chains, enhancing collaboration with local healthcare providers, and investing in critical health infrastructure.

Speaking at the launch, Jonathan Keytel, Director of Strategy and Innovation for Roche Diagnostics Africa, described Nigeria as a key market in the company’s long-term vision for healthcare transformation on the continent.

“As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria is central to our strategy,” Keytel said. “This investment will enhance access to life-saving diagnostics and support sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.”

Also speaking, Roberto Taboada, Roche Diagnostics’ Country Manager for Africa, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to strengthening health systems in the region.

“This launch reflects our deep commitment to providing high-quality, innovative diagnostic solutions across Africa. By partnering with governments and local stakeholders, we aim to save and improve more lives,” Taboada said.

The initiative aligns with Roche’s broader efforts to help African nations move closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Key focus areas include workforce development, capacity building, skills transfer, systems optimization, and process harmonization.

Africa, home to over 1.5 billion people—half of whom are under the age of 20—faces enormous health challenges. Although the continent bears 25% of the global disease burden, it receives only 1% of global health funding and accounts for just 3% of the global health workforce, according to data from PubMed and McKinsey.

Roche believes the scale of the challenge demands innovation and bold investment. “We’re leveraging our global strengths in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, supported by real-world data insights, to help reimagine healthcare delivery in Africa,” said Keytel.

Founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1896, Roche is the world’s largest biotechnology company and a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company owns Genentech in the United States and holds a majority stake in Japan’s Chugai Pharmaceutical.

Roche has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, featuring for 13 consecutive years in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices as one of the most socially responsible pharmaceutical companies worldwide.