Bayer outsources pharma distribution in Africa
NAIROBI, KENYA — Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Bayer will outsource warehousing, distribution, and sales of its pharmaceuticals in Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana to a third-party logistics provider starting in May.
Bayer said that this plan will help streamline operations and deliver medicines faster to more patients in Africa. The firm called it the “Smart Serve” plan to reach patients faster.
Bayer says outsourcing will minimally impact its approximately 200 employees in the region. Its crop science division, which makes up 90% of the business in Africa, will remain unaffected.
Outsourced work will cover Bayer’s medicines, including oncology and ophthalmology. At the same time, the firm’s internal teams will handle government and media.
Bayer said the move could increase access to medicines in underserved areas. It aims to use partners’ distribution skills to accelerate delivery.
Bayer is still identifying affected roles but is committed to retaining core staff like stakeholder relations.
This aligns with Bayer’s global restructuring to focus on core capabilities in emerging markets. But it maintains key Africa manufacturing.
