Vestergaard launches Health Textiles Nigeria FZE to produce dual-active mosquito nets
The facility is expected to produce 10 million nets annually at full capacity and create more than 600 jobs.
NIGERIA—Vestergaard Sàrl has announced that Health Textiles Nigeria FZE is now operational, marking the start of local production of next-generation insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Nigeria.
The facility is expected to produce 10 million nets annually at full capacity and create more than 600 jobs.
The plant is Nigeria’s first facility to manufacture dual-active-ingredient insecticide-treated nets.
It will produce PermaNet Dual, Vestergaard’s advanced mosquito net designed to address insecticide resistance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified the product in 2023 and has recognised Health Textiles Nigeria as a Vestergaard production site.
The company has recruited about 80 employees so far and is providing training in manufacturing, quality control, health and safety, and regulatory compliance.
Government support
The project builds on a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC).
The agreement aims to expand local manufacturing capacity and establish Nigeria as West Africa’s first production hub for dual active ingredient mosquito nets.
Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, described the start of local production as an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen malaria prevention and domestic manufacturing capacity.
He said the initiative would combine international expertise with Nigerian talent to strengthen the healthcare supply chain, create skilled employment and develop Nigeria’s manufacturing capacity for essential health products.
Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, said the project demonstrates how investment, technology transfer and government policy can work together to build local manufacturing capacity.
He added that the 2024 agreement was intended not only to attract investment but also to translate the partnership into productive capacity in Nigeria, including training professionals and establishing the ability to manufacture health products at scale.
Malaria prevention
The investment comes as malaria continues to place a heavy burden on Africa.
WHO estimates that malaria caused 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths globally in 2024, with Africa accounting for the majority of cases.
Nigeria alone accounts for about a quarter of global malaria cases.
According to Vestergaard, insecticide-treated nets, including PermaNet Dual, have helped avert an estimated 1.13 billion malaria cases since 2000.
Amar Ali, CEO of Vestergaard, said the company’s new facility would combine Nigerian talent, advanced manufacturing capabilities and its experience in malaria prevention.
He added that production would follow stringent standards for quality, compliance and performance.
Health Textiles Nigeria is wholly owned by Vestergaard, which has supplied approximately one-third of insecticide-treated nets procured through public programmes worldwide since 2000.
As production expands, the facility is expected to increase employment and develop a skilled workforce for health product manufacturing.
Its operations are also designed to meet Vestergaard’s global manufacturing and quality standards.
The Nigerian facility is expected to fulfill its first commercial orders in the coming months.
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