Afreximbank-backed medical centre launches in Abuja

NIGERIA—The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)  has  been opened in Abuja, Nigeria,  marking a historic step toward healthcare sovereignty in Africa.

This US$350 million state-of-the-art tertiary medical facility was developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London and supported by key Nigerian institutions such as the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

The opening ceremony was graced by Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside high-ranking government and private sector officials.

Located in Abuja, AMCE is designed to meet the highest global standards and currently offers 170 inpatient beds with plans to expand to 500 beds.

It provides world-class services in oncology, haematology, cardiology, and general medical care, including advanced treatments like stem cell transplantation.

The facility also houses the largest stem cell laboratory in West Africa, equipped with cutting-edge technology such as an 18 MeV cyclotron, 3 Tesla MRI, and 256-slice CT scanners, setting new benchmarks for healthcare in the region.

Beyond being a hospital, AMCE represents Africa’s determination to reduce its dependence on foreign health systems, addressing the estimated US$6-10 billion Africans spend annually on medical treatment abroad.

The COVID-19 pandemic and past health crises like Ebola exposed the continent’s vulnerabilities and underscored the urgent need for resilient, homegrown healthcare solutions.

Diseases such as sickle cell anemia and malaria, which disproportionately affect Africans but receive limited global attention, can now be better managed through targeted local research and investment at AMCE.

President Tinubu, through Vice President Shettima, emphasized that the Centre is not just a building but a bold statement rejecting medical vulnerability as Africa’s destiny.

He praised Afreximbank’s visionary leadership and the partnership with King’s College Hospital, highlighting ongoing efforts to transform Nigeria’s health sector, including expanding pharmaceutical production and securing over US$2.2 billion in new healthcare investments.

He also noted the importance of infrastructure investments to support such institutions and hailed AMCE as a place to heal and train the next generation of African medical specialists.

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank and Chairman of AMCE’s Board, shared a personal story of his own medical emergency treated at King’s College Hospital in London, which inspired his commitment to bringing world-class healthcare to Africa.

He described AMCE as a catalyst for transforming the continent’s health sector, promoting healthcare sovereignty, and announced the launch of the Africa Life Sciences Foundation to mobilize investment for ongoing research and development.

Brian Deaver, AMCE’s CEO, highlighted the Centre’s integrated approach, combining early diagnosis, advanced treatment, long-term disease management, medical education, and research.

This model aims to build sustainable healthcare capacity in Africa, improving patient outcomes and fostering innovation.

With clinical partnerships including King’s College Hospital London and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, AMCE is set to become a hub for specialist healthcare, medical training, and research in Africa.

Future expansions include a second 350-bed hospital, research centres, and residential facilities, positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for specialist healthcare and medical training in Africa.

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