African Medical Centre of Excellence Abuja begins operations
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) has officially inaugurated today, signifying a significant milestone in Africa’s pursuit of healthcare independence. The US$300 million tertiary medical facility, established by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) in collaboration with King’s College Hospital London, welcomed His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the guest of honour, represented by His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This event was attended by high-ranking officials from both the Government and private sector, including the Ministers of Health, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives from Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Services, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and Bank of Industry (BOI), among others.
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) Abuja is a tertiary-level multi-specialty medical institution established through a partnership between Afreximbank and King’s College Hospital, London. It aims to set new benchmarks in specialty healthcare and enhance patient experiences throughout Africa. Created to fill significant gaps in healthcare, AMCE Abuja is committed to delivering world-class medical services through innovative research, development, and education. The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, is located at AMCE Apo-Kabusa Road, Wumba District, FCT, Abuja, and can be reached on telephone +2348081000143
The African Medical Centre of Excellence – AMCE Abuja will provide a wide range of services in oncology, haematology, cardiovascular care, and general healthcare, with aspirations for future growth. Its main objective is to minimize medical tourism by offering advanced procedures, including stem cell transplantation, and cutting-edge treatments for various illnesses. The construction phase, backed by international partners, will be succeeded by a phased implementation over six years, ultimately resulting in a 500-bed facility. By addressing the issue of healthcare brain drain and curbing medical tourism, AMCE Abuja will generate job opportunities in both medical and non-medical fields. Following the groundbreaking ceremony held in December 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, AMCE Abuja is set to begin operations in early 2025. This flagship facility is an essential part of Afreximbank’s network of healthcare institutions, with the goal of tackling brain drain, reducing medical tourism, and promoting job creation. The vision for AMCE is to cultivate a healthier and more educated future for Africa.
Situated in Abuja and designed to adhere to the highest international standards, AMCE Abuja provides exceptional services in oncology, haematology, cardiology, and general medical care. More than just a hospital, this facility embodies a strong declaration of Africa’s resolve to lessen its reliance on foreign healthcare systems and to address the estimated US$6-10 billion that Africans spend each year seeking medical treatment abroad.
The inauguration of The African Medical Centre of Excellence – AMCE Abuja occurs at a pivotal moment, as Africa aims to fortify its healthcare systems and diminish dependence on external providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the weaknesses of this dependence, with global supply shortages exerting significant pressure on African nations. Likewise, previous responses to health emergencies such as Ebola have underscored the pressing need for resilient, locally-developed solutions. Decades post-independence, millions of Africans still endure diseases like sickle cell and malaria, conditions that could be more effectively managed through focused local research and investment. However, these diseases frequently receive minimal global attention or funding, resulting in critical treatment deficiencies. AMCE Abuja signifies a significant advancement, delivering world-class healthcare to the continent, prioritizing African health needs, and establishing the foundation for a healthier, more self-sufficient future. In collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), AMCE exemplifies what can be achieved when African institutions come together with a common goal.
“Today, we are not just inaugurating a building; we are making a courageous, unified declaration: we will no longer accept medical vulnerability as our fate. The African Medical Centre of Excellence serves as evidence that Africa is prepared to compete with the finest in global healthcare. I commend Afreximbank and its visionary President, Professor Benedict Oramah, and acknowledge the collaboration with King’s College Hospital for transforming this ambitious vision into reality. This is the outcome when African institutions tackle African challenges with African solutions.
“In the last two years, we have taken intentional measures to revamp Nigeria’s health sector—from unlocking the healthcare value chain through the Presidential Initiative (PVAC) to enhancing pharmaceutical production, regulatory frameworks, and diagnostic accessibility, as well as securing over $2.2 billion in new investments through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative. However, excellence must be maintained. That is why we are investing in the infrastructure, energy, and connectivity that allow great institutions to flourish. With the largest stem cell laboratory in West Africa and plans for a medical school, this Centre is more than just a hospital; it is a place for healing the ill and training the leaders of tomorrow.” — H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In reflecting on this significant milestone, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of both Afreximbank and AMCE, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria for providing the land on which the AMCE is built, adding: In 2013, I experienced a significant health scare that necessitated my evacuation to King’s College Hospital in London, where an urgent effort to save my life took place. My presence here today serves as a testament to the effectiveness of advanced medical research, clinical expertise, and a robust healthcare system. The occasion we commemorate today illustrates that society benefits more from preserving lives than from mourning its deceased, emphasizing that it is a living individual who can contribute to progress and social change. This experience led me to realize that one of the key contributions I could offer to Africa was to assist Afreximbank in implementing its health and medical strategy in every possible manner. Our vision for the African Medical Centre of Excellence extends beyond merely providing exceptional healthcare; it aims to act as a catalyst for the transformation of the African health sector, boldly signaling to the world that Africa is finally asserting control over its healthcare sovereignty and adhering to global standards.
President Oramah also announced the establishment of the Africa Life Sciences Foundation, which will serve as a means to mobilize the necessary risk capital to propel research initiatives. He urged both African and non-African governments, financial institutions, affluent individuals, and corporate entities to collaborate with the Bank in investing in the hospital through this platform.
Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, emphasized the facility’s holistic approach: “Today, we are not merely inaugurating a hospital—we are initiating a healthcare revolution for Africa. AMCE signifies a fundamental change in the delivery of specialized medical care across the continent. Our integrated model includes early diagnosis, advanced treatment, and long-term disease management, establishing a seamless continuum of care that enhances patient outcomes and health experiences.”
He stated: “Our mission goes beyond mere treatment; it encompasses top-tier medical education, pioneering research, and ongoing innovation. By merging global expertise with the development of local talent, AMCE aims to establish sustainable healthcare capacity that will benefit future generations.
The inauguration of AMCE marks the beginning of a new chapter for Africa — one where self-sufficiency takes the place of reliance, and exceptional care is not just a privilege for a select few, but a standard accessible to many. By focusing on healthcare delivery, talent cultivation, and innovation within the continent, AMCE is not only curbing the outflow of medical funds but also reshaping Africa’s role in the global health landscape.
Through its clinical collaborations with King’s College Hospital in London and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, AMCE will serve as a center for advancing research, education, and medical excellence by promoting continuous knowledge sharing. In its forthcoming phase, AMCE plans to expand to include a second 350-bed hospital, medical and nursing schools, a medical sciences foundation, research centers, and residential facilities. Collectively, this integrated ecosystem will establish Nigeria as a premier hub for specialized healthcare, medical education, and clinical research across the continent.
Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive Officer of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, remarked, “We take pride in collaborating with Afreximbank on this significant initiative. The African Medical Centre of Excellence signifies a constructive advancement, and by uniting world-class clinical standards, training, and research, we aspire to share our knowledge and foster the development of a sustainable care model that directly addresses the needs of African patients.”
Currently open, The African Medical Centre of Excellence – AMCE invites patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and collaborators to participate in its mission of providing exceptional healthcare, promoting innovation, and creating a healthier, more self-sufficient Africa. AMCE stands as the largest specialized private hospital in Nigeria and West Africa, concentrating on cardiovascular services, hematology, comprehensive oncology, and general medical care. Presently, it offers 170 beds, with plans to increase this number to 500 upon completion. The facility includes the largest stem cell laboratory in the region, fifteen post-stem cell isolation rooms in West Africa, as well as five operating theatres and three catheterization laboratories. Additionally, it features a 20-bed intensive care unit, six critical care unit beds, and 20 chemotherapy chairs equipped with a compounding pharmacy, among other amenities. Some of the specialized equipment found in Nigeria and the surrounding region is exclusively available at AMCE Abuja. This includes the 18 MeV cyclotron, 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 256-slice computed tomography, a brachytherapy machine with an iridium source, four biosafety cabinets, and 128-slice computed tomography machines, among others.
