Top Knowledge-Based Companies Set to Shine at MEDEXPO AFRICA 2023!
TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation is set to participate in the 25th MEDEXPO AFRICA, an exhibition showcasing medical products, equipment, machinery, and services. This important event will take place from May 14 to 16 in Nairobi, Kenya, and is supported by the Innovation and Prosperity Fund. Knowledge-based firms will establish their pavilions at the exhibition, highlighting the growing collaboration in the healthcare sector.
The exhibition will feature a variety of items, including:
- Hospital supplies
- Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare tools
- Laboratory equipment
- Dental and optical instruments
- Veterinary tools
- Medical services
MEDEXPO is recognized as one of the premier events in the medical and healthcare industry. It serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge solutions from leading market players, benefiting buyers from the medical technology sector across the East African region.
This event offers a vital opportunity for buyers from East Africa to discover new products, equipment, machinery, and services in the healthcare sector. Kenya, in particular, stands out as a promising market for medical devices, ranked among the fastest-growing markets in the sub-Saharan Africa region, according to reports from Fitch and the World Bank.
The medical device sector in Kenya is heavily reliant on imports, with limited domestic production capabilities. This further emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and the participation of Iranian companies in the MEDEXPO AFRICA.
Iran House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT) in Kenya
In 2024, the CEO of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT) in Kenya, Ali Bani-Amerian, announced that iHiT has opened new avenues for Iranian knowledge-based companies to thrive in global markets, especially in Kenya, which serves as a gateway to East Africa. The value of Iranian knowledge-based exports to Kenya has surpassed one million dollars, as reported by ISNA.
Bani-Amerian stressed the importance of understanding market needs and providing innovative solutions, saying, “The center assists Iranian companies in overcoming obstacles and achieving great success in exporting products to Kenya and East Africa.” He highlighted that iHiT helps companies meet the necessary standards to enter global markets.
Some of the significant initiatives undertaken by iHiT in Kenya include:
- Hosting over 50 joint events focused on technology and entrepreneurship with organizations such as the United Nations and the Kenyan Chamber of Commerce.
- Establishing more than 35 startups in collaboration with Iranian, Kenyan, and international partners.
- Conducting extensive market studies to identify opportunities for innovation.
The center has also facilitated exports for more than 20 Iranian companies and successfully established two national knowledge-based pavilions at the Kenya Healthcare Expo in 2022 and 2023. Other notable achievements include:
- Registering over 50 medical equipment items
- Introducing two Iranian anti-cancer medications
- Obtaining GMP certification for 11 Iranian companies
- Installing Iranian medical equipment in Kenyan hospitals and medical facilities
- Exporting various pharmaceutical ingredients to Kenya
Conclusion
With the establishment of the iHiT in January 2021, Iran has opened its first house of innovation and technology in Africa. This center serves as a foundation for creating innovative ideas, commercializing them, and exporting Iranian knowledge-based products and services to the East African market.
The upcoming MEDEXPO AFRICA is anticipated to strengthen ties between Iranian companies and the East African healthcare sector, providing a platform for collaboration and growth. As the healthcare landscape in Kenya continues to evolve, participating in this exhibition will enable Iranian firms to contribute significantly to the medical device market and address the growing demand for healthcare solutions.
