The African Medical Centre of Excellence has opened shop, marking a historic milestone in Africa’s journey towards healthcare sovereignty.
The tertiary medical facility, is a joint project by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London at the cost of USD 300 million
Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, graced the opening alongside high-ranking Government and private sector officials, including the Ministers of Health, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Services, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bank of Industry (BOI), among others.
Located in Abuja and designed to meet the highest global standards, African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) offers world-class services across oncology, haematology, cardiology, and general medical services.
More than a hospital, the facility represents a bold statement of Africa’s determination to reduce dependence on foreign health systems and reverse the estimated USD 6-10 billion Africans spend annually seeking treatment abroad.
AMCE Abuja comes at a critical time, as Africa seeks to strengthen its healthcare systems and reduce reliance on external providers.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of this reliance, with global supply shortages putting immense pressure on African nations.
Similarly, past responses to health crises like Ebola have reinforced the urgent need for resilient, homegrown solutions. Decades after independence, millions of Africans continue to suffer from diseases like sickle cell and malaria, conditions that could be better managed with targeted local research and investment.
“Today, we are not merely unveiling a building; we are making a bold, collective statement of no longer accepting medical vulnerability as destiny. The African Medical Centre of Excellence stands as proof that Africa is ready to compete with the best in global healthcare,” Ngerian President Ahmed Tinubu stated in the speech read on his behalf.
“Over the past two years, we have taken deliberate steps to transform Nigeria’s health sector—from unlocking the healthcare value chain through the Presidential Initiative (PVAC), to expanding pharmaceutical production, regulatory systems, and diagnostic access, and securing over USD 2.2 billion in new investments through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative,” Tinubu added.
On his part, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of both Afreximbank and AMCE, said the facility is proof that society is better off saving lives than burying its dead, and that it is a living person who can contribute to development and social transformation.
Oramah also announced the launch of the Africa Life Sciences Foundation to act as the vehicle for mobilising appropriate risk capital to drive research efforts and called on African and non-African governments, banks, high net worth individuals and corporate organisations to join the Bank in investing in the hospital, through this platform.
“Today, we don’t just open a hospital but launch a healthcare revolution for Africa. AMCE represents a paradigm shift in how specialised medical care is delivered on the continent,” said Brian Deaver, the Chief Executive Officer of AMCE
Through its clinical partnerships with King’s College Hospital, London and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, AMCE will be home to advance research, education, and medical excellence by fostering continuous knowledge exchange.
AMCE will expand to include a second 350-bed hospital, medical and nursing schools, a medical sciences foundation, research centres, and residential facilities. Together, this integrated ecosystem will position Nigeria as a leading hub for specialist healthcare, medical training, and clinical research on the continent.
Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive Officer of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said, “We are proud to partner with Afreximbank on this important initiative.”
“The African Medical Centre of Excellence represents a positive step forward, and by bringing together world-class clinical standards, training, and research, we aim to share our expertise and support the development of a sustainable model of care that responds directly to the needs of African patients”.
AMCE is the largest specialised private hospital in Nigeria and West Africa, focusing on cardiovascular services, haematology, comprehensive oncology, and general medical services. It currently boasts of 170 beds with a plan to expand this to 500 beds upon completion.
It features the largest stem cell laboratory in the region, fifteen post stem cell isolation rooms in West Africa alongside five theatres and three catheterisation laboratories. It also features a 20-bed intensive care unit, six critical care unit beds and 20 chemotherapy chairs with compounding pharmacy among others.