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President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), George Elombi, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing Africa’s healthcare sovereignty during a visit to the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja. The visit coincided with AMCE’s first anniversary, highlighting its transformative impact on specialist healthcare delivery.

Developed by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, AMCE was conceived to reduce Africa’s dependence on medical travel abroad by providing world-class care, advancing research and education, and creating a sustainable ecosystem for specialist healthcare.

In its inaugural year, AMCE registered over 5,000 patients from more than 20 countries across four continents, underscoring its role as a regional and global referral hub. Clinical milestones include West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer, the centre’s first Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), and two successful stem cell transplants.

The facility carried out more than 40,000 diagnostic tests, 10 open-heart surgeries, and 99 catheterisation procedures.

The centre has also launched nuclear medicine services, with SPECT/CT imaging now available and PET/CT imaging scheduled to begin later this year.

Dr. Elombi praised the centre’s achievements, describing them as “a compelling demonstration of African excellence, institutional resolve, and shared purpose.” He emphasised that AMCE represents Africa’s capacity to deliver world-class healthcare within the continent, urging Nigerians and Africans to take full advantage of the facility.

AMCE CEO Brian Deaver noted that the centre’s progress demonstrates Africa’s ability to build and sustain centres of excellence. “With Afreximbank’s continued vision and support, we remain committed to advancing patient care, research, education, and innovation to strengthen health systems across the continent,” he said.

AMCE currently employs more than 600 professionals from 12 nationalities, reflecting its growing reputation as a destination for highly skilled healthcare workers. Earlier this year, the centre earned Great Place to Work® Certification, with 90% of employees affirming it is a great workplace.

The facility is supported by strategic partnerships with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and NNPC Limited, and forms part of Afreximbank’s broader vision to reduce medical tourism, support medical training, and create employment opportunities across Africa’s healthcare ecosystem.