Afreximbank Commissions African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has commissioned the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), worth $300 million,  in Abuja, Nigeria. This healthcare investment marks a significant milestone in Africa’s efforts to strengthen local medical infrastructure and reduce dependence on outbound medical tourism.

The facility, which will initially offer 170 beds and is expected to expand to 500 beds, will specialize in oncology, haematology, cardiology, and general medical services as well as medical research and training is being developed in partnership with international institutions such as King’s College Hospital (London), The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Wisconsin.

The AMCE, in addition to advanced medical care with cutting-edge diagnostics, surgical services, and post-operative care, is designed to serve as a hub for medical research, training, and education, contributing to capacity building across Africa’s healthcare workforce.

Battle Against Medical Tourism by Nigerians

Nigeria has faced a constant battle with medical tourism over the years. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerians spent approximately $2.38 million on medical tourism between January and June 2024, while the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) reported that the country loses over $2 billion annually to medical tourism, primarily due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and the exodus of medical professionals.

The newly built AMCE is therefore expected to help retain a large portion of this expenditure within the continent by supplementing efforts made by high-end private medical facilities in this regard. The AMCE project is anticipated to serve over 350,000 patients within its first five years and generated around 3,000 jobs during its construction and operational phases. The Afreximbank also seeks to replicate the construction of such high-end medical facilities in other African countries.