CEO's INTERVIEW - Ajay Kumar Pal: Leading with Clarity, Building Africa’s Future

Ajay Kumar Pal: Leading with Clarity, Building Africa’s Future

When Ajay Kumar Pal arrived at Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil) in February 2020, the world was on the brink of an unimaginable crisis. Within a month of his joining as Chief Operating Officer, COVID-19 had swept across continents, testing every institution’s resolve. Yet, amid uncertainty, Qcil not only endured but strengthened its foundations. Today, as CEO, Ajay reflects on five years of transformation, resilience, and the promise of a new era for African pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Emmanuel Katongole , Ajay Kumar Pal, & Fredrick Mutebi Kitaka at the Qcil 20th Anniversary Celebrations

Q: You joined Qcil just before COVID-19 changed everything. What was that experience like stepping into leadership at such a time?

It was definitely a baptism by fire. I had barely completed a month when COVID hit. The entire world went into lockdown, and suddenly our focus shifted from long-term planning to immediate survival, not just as a company but as a lifeline for millions of patients.

At that time, no one knew what to do. There was fear everywhere, fear of infection, fear of losing loved ones, fear of collapse. But we had a responsibility larger than ourselves. We manufacture life-saving treatments, including antiretrovirals for HIV and medicines for malaria. We knew that if we stopped, patients’ lives would be at risk.

So our mission during that period was simple: keep our people safe and keep the factory running. I give full credit to our employees. Many left their families behind, unsure of what awaited them, but still came to work. That courage was the heartbeat of Qcil during COVID.

Q: You now lead more than 500 employees across a very diverse organization. What would you say defines your leadership philosophy?

For me, leadership rests on three pillars: Transparency, bold vision, and diversity.Transparency means everyone should understand where we are and where we’re going. There’s no “I know more than you.” When people see the whole picture, they take ownership.

The second pillar is having a bold, shared vision. Growth isn’t just about small percentage increases. It’s about setting ambitious, sometimes uncomfortable goals that stretch you and your team. If everyone knows the destination, even a difficult journey feels purposeful.

And third, diversity. I see diversity as a strength, not a challenge. Different backgrounds bring different thinking. They prevent groupthink and make an organization more resilient. In a company like ours, with Ugandans, Indians, and professionals from many disciplines, diversity gives us agility. It makes us sharper.

Long serving employees at Qcil pose for a picture with Chairman, CEO & Head of Human Resources at the Qcil 20th Anniversary Celebrations