ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Leaders in healthcare, trade, and academia have called for urgent investment in Africa’s health systems and talent base to drive economic transformation and reduce the continent’s dependency on outbound medical tourism.
At the Annual Meetings in Abuja, a high-profile panel discussion titled “Reclaiming Africa’s Destiny” spotlighted the strategic link between healthcare innovation and sustainable development. The event featured Brian Deaver, CEO of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE); Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of Export Development at Afreximbank; and Professor Ghulam Mufti, a renowned haematologist from King’s College London.
The conversation centered on how local health infrastructure can fuel intra-African trade, reverse brain drain, and enhance economic resilience. A key focus was the recent launch of the AMCE in Abuja—a flagship project supported by Afreximbank that officially opened on June 5, 2025.
“This hospital is not only about delivering care, but also about teaching, training, research and building a workforce,” said Deaver. “We want to bring the standard of care available in the United States, the United Kingdom and India here to Nigeria. There is no reason why African patients should need to travel thousands of miles to receive treatment.”
With a focus on non-communicable diseases such as cancer and heart disease, AMCE aims to offer high-quality, affordable care on the continent. Its launch is part of Afreximbank’s broader vision to promote export-enabling infrastructure and reduce Africa’s reliance on foreign health systems.
“Export development is not only about goods,” said Doherty. “It is also about services, and health is one of the most under-exported services in Africa.” She noted that by investing in healthcare, the bank is not only safeguarding lives but also creating new economic value. “We cannot talk about reclaiming Africa’s destiny without first making sure its people are healthy enough to pursue it.”
Professor Mufti, who has trained doctors around the world, emphasized the importance of mutual respect and collaboration in knowledge exchange. “We are not coming here to impose, we are coming here to learn and collaborate,” he said. “Africans deserve care that is both cutting-edge and culturally grounded.”
The panelists stressed that beyond its role as a public good, healthcare is an economic catalyst. With Nigeria alone spending an estimated 40% of its annual healthcare budget on treatment abroad, redirecting that expenditure domestically could significantly boost local health systems and retain critical talent.
“We must stop the brain drain,” said Deaver. “We must equip young doctors, researchers and nurses to believe that they can have fulfilling careers here in Africa. The AMCE is one piece of that puzzle, but we need many more.”
As the continent seeks to redefine its path, panelists agreed that investments in health and human capital are not optional—they are foundational.
“Healthcare is not just about medicine,” Doherty added. “It’s about dignity, productivity, and sovereignty.”
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution established to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. Headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, the Bank has assets of over $40 billion and plays a central role in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), including through its Pan-African Payment and Settlement System and a $10 billion Adjustment Fund.
