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The Rise and Fall of Nigeria as a Medical Tourism Hub
In the 1960s, Nigeria was a prominent destination for medical tourism in Africa. It attracted not only the wealthy but also royalty from across the continent. The University Teaching Hospital in Ibadan served as a key healthcare facility during that era. However, much has changed over the decades, and today, Nigeria and other African nations face significant challenges in their healthcare systems.
A Growing Trend of Medical Tourism Abroad
Currently, many of Nigeria’s and Africa’s elite seek medical care in Europe, India, and Saudi Arabia. According to the World Bank, over $1 billion is spent annually by African citizens on medical treatment abroad. The African Union estimates this figure to be double, while a recent report suggests that Nigeria alone spends $2 million on medical tourism in 2024.
This trend has serious implications for Africa. The outflow of capital due to medical tourism hampers resource allocation, limits capacity building, and slows down the transfer of skills. It also contributes to inefficiencies in healthcare service delivery and widens the healthcare gap across the continent. Additionally, the migration of skilled medical professionals to Western countries exacerbates the existing healthcare crisis.
Challenges in Accessing Healthcare
Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare remains a major challenge in much of Africa. The Africa Health Agenda International Conference Commission has highlighted that more than 50% of the continent's 1.3 billion people lack access to basic healthcare services. This issue affects both urban and rural populations, with the latter often bearing the brunt of inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
Despite efforts to improve rural healthcare, a two-tier system persists. This means that individuals from lower-income backgrounds often face life-threatening conditions that could be easily managed with proper care. As a result, those who can afford it turn to private healthcare options, either within the country or abroad.
The Role of Private Healthcare Providers
The World Bank estimates that 50% of healthcare spending in Africa goes to private providers. However, these facilities often lack cutting-edge equipment and technology needed for advanced medical interventions. They also face challenges in attracting and retaining skilled healthcare professionals.
If health is indeed wealth, then the current state of medical tourism in Africa is squandering resources that could be used to enhance healthcare infrastructure, improve service delivery, and foster capacity building.
Emerging Health Crises and Global Disparities
Recent health emergencies such as Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox, along with seasonal outbreaks of cholera and Lassa fever, underscore the disproportionate burden of disease on the African continent. The rise in non-communicable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions further highlights the urgent need for improved healthcare systems.
The global health landscape is marked by disparities, with low- and lower-middle-income countries receiving less than 3.2% of global health spending. This reflects a broader challenge where many African governments invest relatively modestly in healthcare, averaging just 7.4% of national budgets.
The Abuja Declaration and the Need for Change
Under the 2001 Abuja Declaration, African Union member states pledged to allocate at least 15% of their national budgets to healthcare. While there has been some progress, the gap remains significant. With growing pressures such as shifting geopolitical priorities, declining Official Development Assistance (ODA), shrinking foreign reserves, and rising debt, the challenges in accessing healthcare are likely to worsen.
Rebuilding Local Health Systems
To address these challenges, there is an urgent need to reinforce investments in resilient, local health systems capable of withstanding global shocks and meeting the needs of African populations. Collaborative efforts between governments, private entities, and other stakeholders are essential.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) offer a promising approach. An example is the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, developed by Afreximbank in collaboration with King’s College Hospital, London, and supported by the Nigerian government.
The AMCE: A New Vision for African Healthcare
The AMCE, which commenced operations in June 2025, is expected to create around 3,000 jobs and serve over 350,000 patients from Nigeria and other African nations in its first five years. Its vision extends beyond providing top-notch healthcare—it aims to transform the African health sector by promoting healthcare sovereignty and setting global standards.
The center serves as a hub for innovative research, development, and education, offering comprehensive services in oncology, haematology, cardiovascular care, and general medical and surgical services. The Live Sciences Foundation is focused on researching diseases like sickle cell and malaria, which have received limited attention from Western researchers.
A Path Forward for Africa
The success of the AMCE Abuja will validate Afreximbank’s proof of concept and open a new era for Nigeria and Africa as a prime medical tourism hub. By addressing inadequate healthcare infrastructure and diagnostics facilities, the center aims to save billions of dollars currently spent on outbound medical tourism.
It also seeks to expand research into diseases affecting people of African descent and build an ecosystem that will endure for generations. Through such initiatives, Africa can reclaim its legacy in medical tourism and work toward a future of healthcare excellence.