• India and Botswana signed pharma cooperation deal during Murmu’s state visit
• Agreement targets Botswana’s drug shortages amid ongoing health emergency
• India seen as key supplier; ranks third in global pharma production

India and Botswana signed a memorandum of understanding on pharmaceutical cooperation on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2025. Announced by the Botswana presidency on its Facebook page, the memorandum was signed during Indian President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit.

The deal aims to improve access to affordable, high-quality Indian medicines for Botswana citizens. President Duma Gideon Boko said the cooperation “reflects the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen healthcare systems and ensure that no citizen is left behind.”

Murmu and Boko also held talks on deepening ties across sectors including trade and investment, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, vocational training, defense and digital technologies.

The announcement comes as Botswana struggles with severe shortages of essential drugs. In August 2025, Boko declared a health state of emergency after supplies of hypertension, cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis medicines ran critically low. In response, he launched the 5-billion-pula ($358 million) Health First Botswana Partnership Fund to stabilize the supply chain for basic medicines and medical equipment.

India, one of the world’s top drug manufacturers, could play a major role in easing the crisis. According to the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, India ranked third globally in 2023 for pharmaceutical production by volume, accounting for 20% of global exports. The country’s pharmaceutical industry is valued at about $50 billion and aims to reach $450 billion by 2047.

Lydie Mobio

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