Tanzanian industrialists mourn the passing of pharmaceutical magnate Mansoor Daya

Mzee Mansoor Daya holds a President's Manufacturer of the Year Awards (PMAYA) prize that was accorded to his company, Mansoor Daya Chemicals in 2021. PHOTO | COURTESY  

By  The Citizen Reporter Media/news company Mwananchi Communications Limited

What you need to know:

• Mzee Daya, who established the first pharmaceutical factory in the region in 1962, breathed his last in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the ripe age of 93

Dar es Salaam. The Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) is mourning the passing of Mansoor Daya, a pioneer in the pharmaceutical industry in Tanzania and East Africa.

Mzee Daya, who established the first pharmaceutical factory in the region in 1962, breathed his last in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the ripe age of 93.

CTI described Mzee Daya as an inspirational leader who dedicated his life to the growth and success of his company and the pharmaceutical sub-sector as a whole.

“We commend his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation and his significant role in promoting industrialization in the country,” according to a CTI statement issued on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Until his demise, Mzee Daya, served as the managing director of the Dar es Salaam-based Mansoor Daya Chemicals Limited.

Former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete speaks with the Managing Director of Mansoor Daya Chemicals Limited, the late Mansoor Daya, when he paid the President a courtesy call at the State House on July 11, 2013. PHOTO | COURTESY  

The factory, with a history of over 60 years in pharmaceuticals production in Tanzania, initially supplied medicines to neighbouring countries like Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Zambia. However, it later focused on catering to the Tanzanian market.

Under Mzee Daya’s direction and guidance, Mansoor Daya Chemicals Limited, expanded its product range to approximately 50 pharmaceutical items and recently introduced herbal medicine to enhance affordability for the masses.

Starting from humble beginnings just a year after Tanganyika's independence, the factory initially produced only four items.

However, with modern machinery, it can now manufacture over three million tablets per shift.

Mzee Mansoor Daya (third from right) accompanies former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda (fourth from left) in a tour of Mansoor Daya Chemicals Limited’s production line at the occasion of marking the company’s 50^th anniversary on October 2, 2012. PHOTO | COURTESY

The medicines are supplied to various healthcare facilities across the country, including the state-run Medical Stores Department (MSD), hospitals, and clinics.

Tanzania heavily relies on imported medicines and medical supplies, accounting for 80 percent of its needs for its over 62 million population.

Mzee Mansoor Daya (right) reacts as former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda (fourth from left) inspects a Mansoor Daya Chemicals Limited’s equipment at the occasion of marking the company’s 50^th anniversary on October 2, 2012. PHOTO | COURTESY

However, the government aims to reduce the dependency to below 50 percent by 2030 through increased local production.

In a recent media briefing, Mansoor Daya, who was a qualified pharmacist, shared his vision of achieving self-sufficiency in essential pharmaceutical products within five to seven years.

He emphasised the importance of reducing reliance on foreign exchange by boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities.