With foreign donors pulling back, Codix Bio is taking the lead in Nigeria’s fight against HIV and malaria—starting with 147 million test kits.

In a major boost to Nigeria’s healthcare sector, Codix Bio Ltd — a fast-rising Nigerian pharmaceutical firm — is set to begin local production of rapid HIV and malaria test kits from its new plant in Ogun State. This move aims to close critical testing gaps created by recent international funding cuts.

According to Reuters, the decision follows reduced support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), stemming from foreign aid policy changes introduced under former U.S. President Donald Trump. These changes disrupted the supply of essential medical test kits to many developing countries, including Nigeria.

Codix Bio Ltd specializes in the production of rapid diagnostic test kits for diseases such as HIV, malaria, hepatitis, and COVID-19—helping Nigeria take control of its healthcare narrative. The company’s efforts align with broader awareness campaigns like How best to know it’s time to deworm, which encourage proactive testing for common infections.

The new facility in Ogun State has the capacity to produce 147 million test kits annually, with potential expansion to 160 million kits. According to Codix Bio General Manager Olanrewaju Balaja, this is more than enough to meet Nigeria’s annual demand.

Backed by global biotech partner SD Biosensor and the World Health Organization (WHO), the initiative is expected to strengthen local healthcare resilience and reduce dependency on imported test kits. Donor agencies like the Global Fund are also expected to support distribution and uptake.

This development aligns with broader national strategies to tackle systemic challenges—similar to those discussed in Global leaders converge in Nigeria for strategic dialogue to address escalating poverty. By investing in homegrown solutions, Codix Bio is not only reshaping disease diagnosis in Nigeria but contributing to a healthier, more self-reliant Africa.