African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) to Transform Healthcare in Africa

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…Shettima, others attend official opening of the hospital

The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) officially  opened today, marking a historic milestone in Africa’s journey towards healthcare sovereignty.  The US$300 million tertiary medical facility, developed by African Export-Import Bank  (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, welcomed His Excellency  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as guest of honour, represented by His Excellency, Senator Kashim  Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside high-ranking Government  and private sector officials, including the Minsters of Health, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, Nigeria  Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Services, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation  Limited (NNPCL) and Bank of Industry (BOI), among others. 

Located in Abuja and designed to meet the highest global standards, AMCE Abuja 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 US$6-10 billion Africans spend  annually seeking treatment abroad. 

The opening of 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. Yet these illnesses often receive limited global attention  or funding, leaving critical treatment gaps. AMCE Abuja represents a bold step forward, bringing  world-class care to the continent, centering African health priorities, and laying the groundwork  for a healthier, more self-reliant future. In strategic partnership with Bank of Industry (BOI), and  Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), AMCE reflects what’s possible when  African institutions unite with shared purpose. 

“Today, we are not merely unveiling a building, we are making a bold, collective statement: we  will no longer accept 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. I commend  Afreximbank and its visionary President, Professor Benedict Oramah, and salute the partnership  with King’s College Hospital for turning this audacious dream into reality. This is what happens  when African institutions confront African challenges with African solutions. 

“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 $2.2  billion in new investments through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative. But excellence  must be sustained. That’s why we’re investing in the roads, power, and connectivity that enable  great institutions to thrive. With the largest stem cell lab in West Africa and plans for a medical  school, this Centre is more than a hospital, it is a place to heal the sick, and to train the future.” — 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. 

Commenting on the momentous achievement, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and  Chairman of the Board of Directors of both Afreximbank and AMCE, thanked the Federal  Government of Nigeria for providing the land on which the AMCE stands, adding: ” In 2013, I had  my own close call when I became seriously ill and was evacuated to King’s College Hospital in  London, where a frantic battle to save my life ensued. Being here today is a testament to the  power of cutting-edge medical research, clinical knowledge, and a solid healthcare ecosystem.  The event we mark today 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. This  experience led me to conclude that one of the major contributions I could make to Africa was to  help Afreximbank deliver on its health and medical strategy in every way possible. Our vision for  the African Medical Centre of Excellence is not just to provide top-notch healthcare but to serve  as a catalyst for the transformation of the African health sector, making a bold statement to the world that Africa is finally taking its destiny into its own hands in healthcare sovereignty and global  standards.” 

President 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.  

Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, highlighted the facility’s comprehensive  approach: “Today, we don’t just open a hospital, we launch a healthcare revolution for Africa.  AMCE represents a paradigm shift in how specialised medical care is delivered on the continent.  Our integrated model encompasses early diagnosis, advanced treatment, and long-term disease  management, creating a seamless continuum of care that improves patient outcomes and health  experiences.” 

He added: “Our mission extends beyond treatment to include world-class medical education,  groundbreaking research, and continuous innovation. By combining international expertise with  local talent development, AMCE will build sustainable healthcare capacity that serves  generations to come.”

AMCE’s opening signals a new era for Africa — one in which self-reliance replaces dependency,  and world-class care is no longer the privilege of a few but the standard for many. By anchoring  healthcare delivery, talent development, and innovation on the continent, AMCE is not just  stemming the outflow of medical dollars, but redefining Africa’s place in the global health  ecosystem. 

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. In its next phase, 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”.  

The AMCE currently boasts 170 beds, with plans to expand this to 500 beds upon completion. It  features the largest stem cell laboratory in the region, 15 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 a compounding  pharmacy among others. Some of the specialised equipment in Nigeria and the region are exclusively hosted by AMCE Abuja. They include an 18MeV cyclotron, 3 Tesla Magnetic  Resonance Imaging, 256 slices computed tomography, brachytherapy machine with iridium  source, four biosafety cabinets and 128 slices computed tomography machines, among other amenities. 

Now open, AMCE Abuja welcomes patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and partners  to join its mission of delivering world-class healthcare, fostering innovation, and building a  healthier, more self-reliant Africa. 

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