Rooted in Kivu, Driven by Women
In the highlands of Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the fight against malaria begins long before treatment reaches a patient. It begins in the soil, in the nurseries, in the collection centers, and continues through laboratories and pharmaceutical production lines in Bukavu.
At Pharmakina, women are central to this journey.
Founded in 1942 in Bukavu, Pharmakina has grown into the world’s leading producer of quinine-based medicines, operating a fully integrated model from cultivation to finished pharmaceutical products. This “From Seed to Solution” approach ensures quality, traceability, and long-term sustainability — and women are present at every critical stage.
Women at the Source of Quinine
Across our network of more than 6,000 smallholder farmers, over 60% are women. In the highlands where cinchona trees are cultivated, women sustain the agricultural backbone of our supply chain.
Through equitable sourcing policies and long-term contracts, we ensure fair payment and income stability. Cinchona farming is a long-term investment, with each tree yielding multiple harvests over decades. Supporting women farmers strengthens household resilience, community stability, and the continuity of quinine production.
Through our Centers of Excellence (CoE) and Outgrower Programs, we invest directly in small-scale farmers — the majority of whom are women — by providing:
- Disease-resistant, high-yield seedlings
- Agricultural tools and technical guidance
- Climate-resilient farming training
- Access to medical care for farmers and their families
These initiatives do more than increase productivity. They promote biodiversity protection, soil conservation, responsible water management, and sustainable land use — ensuring that health and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Every cinchona seedling planted by these women contributes to life-saving malaria treatment and to long-term economic empowerment.
Women Across Our Workforce
Women’s leadership at Pharmakina extends beyond agriculture.
Our workforce includes 74 dedicated women contributing their expertise across production, quality control, technical functions, and administration. In 2024, we increased women’s representation across our workforce, reinforcing our commitment to gender inclusion and professional growth.
As Kivu’s largest formal employer, Pharmakina provides 860 permanent jobs, strengthening economic stability in the region. Each role within our pharmaceutical operations supports the production of high-quality quinine APIs and finished pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of severe and uncomplicated malaria.
To further amplify women’s voices, we established a Women’s Association at Pharmakina — a platform for advocacy, mentorship, experience-sharing, and meaningful workplace engagement. This initiative reflects our belief that inclusion drives innovation and long-term resilience.
From Seed to Solution: A System that Protects Lives
Pharmakina’s fully integrated value chain includes:
- In-vitro laboratories developing disease-resistant cinchona clones
- Industrial extraction of quinine API salts
- Manufacturing of finished pharmaceutical products, including tablets, syrups, and injectables
- Distribution across the DRC and export to global markets
Malaria remains a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, reliable local production and ethical supply chains are essential to ensuring uninterrupted access to treatment.
By integrating women into every stage of this system — from cultivation to pharmaceutical operations — we strengthen not only production capacity but also social and economic resilience.
Governance, Fairness, and Long-Term Commitment
Our commitment to women’s empowerment is embedded in our governance framework and Supplier Standards of Conduct. We uphold principles of fairness, non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and environmental responsibility across our operations and partnerships.
We believe that sustainable pharmaceutical leadership must be rooted in ethical practices, community engagement, and long-term shared value creation.
Building Health, Sustainability, and Equality
In Kivu, women are not only participants in the fight against malaria — they are leaders shaping its foundation.
They cultivate the cinchona trees that produce life-saving quinine.
They contribute their expertise within our pharmaceutical operations.
They strengthen families, protect ecosystems, and sustain local economies.
At Pharmakina, we remain committed to ensuring that the fight against malaria drives not only better health outcomes, but also greater equality, environmental stewardship, and lasting prosperity for the communities we serve.
