On June 5, 2025, the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) was officially commissioned in Abuja, Nigeria. Developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, the 500-bed medical facility aims to revolutionize healthcare on the continent. The launch ceremony marked a historic milestone for Africa’s medical sector, ushering in an era of locally accessible, world-class healthcare.
The AMCE, located in Nigeria’s capital city, stands as one of the most ambitious healthcare projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Initially beginning operations with 170 beds, the hospital is poised to grow into a 500-bed center offering specialized treatment in oncology, haematology, cardiovascular care, and general medicine. It is also set to become a beacon for medical education and research, with the inclusion of a nursing school, research centers, and residential facilities for healthcare professionals.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, lauded the initiative as a transformative step in addressing Africa’s long-standing medical gaps. He emphasized that the center represents more than just infrastructure—it symbolizes Nigeria’s refusal to accept medical vulnerability as destiny.
For Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of Afreximbank, the project carried personal resonance. Having once experienced a life-threatening illness that required evacuation to King’s College Hospital in London, he spoke passionately about the need for Africa to build medical institutions that match international standards. He affirmed that AMCE would redirect the tide of medical tourism that currently drains resources from the continent.
Brian Deaver, CEO of the AMCE, described the hospital as the beginning of a healthcare revolution in Africa. In his address, he stated, “Africa can. Africa will. And Africa has.” Deaver emphasized the importance of delivering world-class care within Africa’s borders, empowering the continent to define its own standards of medical excellence.
Photo credit: AMCE LinkedIn Page
The AMCE project will support an estimated 350,000 patients in its first five years—200,000 from Nigeria and 150,000 from neighboring countries. It also boasts West Africa’s largest stem cell laboratory, alongside cutting-edge diagnostic and surgical equipment. The facility will act not only as a center for clinical services, but as a hub for innovation, learning, and long-term economic impact.
The estimated investment for the facility is pegged at nearly $300 million, supported by Afreximbank and its partners. During the commissioning, stakeholders highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, citing the synergy between finance, healthcare, government policy, and international partnerships as the cornerstone of the project’s success.
As the first of five such centers envisioned across Africa, the AMCE is more than a hospital—it is a bold statement of intent. It challenges outdated assumptions about what is possible within African healthcare systems, and positions the continent as a serious player in global medical research, treatment, and talent development.
This landmark facility redefines what African countries can build for their citizens: a self-sustaining healthcare ecosystem that is locally driven, globally respected, and deeply impactful.
