BPI Advances IV Fluids Manufacturing Partnership with AMA

Barbados Pharmaceutical Inc. (BPI) is advancing a flagship joint venture with AMA Medical Manufacturing, in partnership with Barbados’ Ministry of Health and Wellness under the leadership of Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

AMA is a Nigerian manufacturer with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-compliant operations. BPI is working in partnership with AMA to establish a state-of-the-art intravenous (IV) fluids facility at the Grantley Adams Industrial Estate. Dr. Laura-Mae Britton, BPI's Lead for Strategy, Data and Innovation, outlined the project in the 2026 edition of Barbados International Finance & Business magazine, published by Invest Barbados.

The partnership is based on a Memorandum of Understanding with AMA Medical Manufacturing and structured as a joint venture, with BPI as a minority equity partner. AMA Medical Manufacturing leads design, construction, and operations, while BPI supports land access, regulatory coordination, regional market entry, and government engagement. The parties are collaborating to secure financing for the project, and engage key partners.

Dr. Britton stated that this structure "has proven critical in de-risking early-stage development, a decisive factor for investors evaluating capital-intensive pharmaceutical projects in emerging markets."

How the Project Is Structured

A detailed business case and financial model support the venture and the project will use a phased approach, enabling near-term import substitution as local production capacity is developed. The project preparation phase of the project is expected to launch in fall of 2026 and will eventually create over 200 local jobs.

Why IV Fluids

Intravenous fluids were selected as the facility's initial focus because they are essential, high-volume medical products, yet Caribbean supply chains remain heavily import-dependent. Dr. Britton noted that the AMA Barbados facility "directly addresses this vulnerability by enabling local and regional production, reducing lead times, lowering logistics costs and improving security of supply." Regional demand for core IV products exceeds US$85 million annually and continues to grow, while current suppliers face long shipping times and limited regional manufacturing.

Beyond manufacturing, the project is part of a broader south-south trade and investment corridor connecting Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Regulatory cooperation with experienced authorities will help Barbados accelerate time-to-market for locally produced medical products while maintaining international quality standards. The project also includes structured training and skills-transfer programs, creating new opportunities for Barbadian professionals in sterile manufacturing, quality assurance, and pharmaceutical operations.

Mr. Musa Bello, Founder and Chairman of AMA Investment & Infrastructure Holdings said: “AMA came to this project as a WHO-GMP certified manufacturer with a clear ambition: to take African pharmaceutical capability beyond the continent. We were not looking for a location — we were looking for a partner who shared that vision, and in Barbados Pharmaceutical Inc. we found one. BPI’s leadership has opened doors to government, investors, and the regional market with genuine commitment. Together we are building the first African-Caribbean pharmaceutical trade corridor — one that will strengthen health security, create skilled jobs, and deliver prosperity for people in both regions for years to come.”

Dr. Britton described the AMA Barbados project as a cornerstone of a broader pipeline of pharmaceutical opportunities BPI is developing across essential medicines and advanced therapies. Each project is evaluated against clear commercial, regulatory, and sustainability criteria. "With a shifting geopolitical world, the stability and investment-friendly climate of Barbados, with high connectivity, high educational acumen, increasing regulatory arena and strong political momentum backed by incentives, Barbados can be a formidable emerging choice for a new landscape in the pharmaceutical space," she wrote.

Sources

Barbados International Finance & Business 2026, Invest Barbados (print/digital publication, article by Dr. Laura-Mae Britton)