Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions, with a rise in its pharmaceutical industry value from $4.7 billion in 2003 to $20.8 billion in 2013. Multinational pharmaceutical companies are becoming more active in drug production and clinical trials across Africa, and there is an increase in the number of local companies engaged in medicines development and marketing. Such expansion of the local pharmaceutical industry requires trained pharmaceutical specialists to support it. The current situation and future requirements for local medicines development, regulation, education and training needs are discussed.