FCT POISED TO BECOME AFRICA’S MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATION
…FG reaffirms commitment to reducing $1bn annual medical tourism losses
By: Prudence Okonna
The Convener of the All Africa Medical and Wellness Expo (AMWE), Usman Isah, has said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is strategically positioned to emerge as a key destination for medical tourism in Africa, just like New Delhi in India.
Speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Expo on Wednesday, 27th August 2025, in Abuja, Isah explained that Abuja already boasts several well-equipped hospitals and facilities that can be promoted to attract both local and international patients.
“The FCT, just like New Delhi, is well-positioned as a key destination for medical tourism because there are many good hospitals with great facilities that we can promote. That is one of the reasons we have set up AMWE, to promote what we have and create opportunities for collaborations,” he said.
He emphasized that medical tourism is often misunderstood in Nigeria, where many assume it only refers to patients traveling abroad. Instead, he explained, it also includes domestic and intra-bound travel in search of quality healthcare. While Nigeria loses about $2 billion annually to outbound medical tourism, he noted that countries like India gain over $6 billion because they embraced and built their systems around it.
Isah argued that medical tourism should not be condemned but harnessed as a solution that can strengthen Nigeria’s health system, reduce medical brain drain, and attract needed investment into the sector. He added that inviting delegates from India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, and Pakistan to the Expo was part of efforts to tap into global best practices to replicate success stories locally.
Representing the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to reversing the country’s heavy reliance on outbound medical tourism, which drains over $1 billion annually.
Delivering his address through the Director of Hospital Services at the Ministry, Ijeoma Okoli, Dr. Salako lamented that while global medical tourism is projected to hit $180 billion by 2026, Africa contributes less than 2% to healthcare services despite its vast population and indigenous medical resources.
He stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is driving investments in areas like cancer care, with new Federal Cancer Centres established in states like Benin and Enugu.
According to him, bridging healthcare gaps will require public-private partnerships, diaspora engagement, and the harnessing of indigenous knowledge systems.
“We must imagine health as a national asset, not just a necessity for survival but a tool for economic transformation,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, former Chief Medical Director of Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Dr. Peter Alabi, said Nigeria must address policy barriers if it is to benefit from the $31 billion global medical tourism market.
He identified quality customer care and the overall travel experience as major attractions for medical tourists globally.
Using a SWOT analysis, Dr. Alabi outlined Nigeria’s strengths and opportunities including its large population, well-developed air connectivity, and the shortage of healthcare systems across Africa that Nigeria could fill.
However, he warned that challenges such as poor infrastructure, unfavorable policy environments, and risks of exploitation remain major threats. He also raised ethical concerns around conflicts of interest, affordability, and language barriers.
Dr. Alabi emphasized that if properly developed, medical tourism could improve infrastructure, expand investment in modern equipment, drive economic growth, and boost Nigeria’s wider tourism industry.
Commending the organizers, he concluded: “The market share is huge, and Nigeria must be deliberate to take a bite.”
Abuja Digest reports that the two-day event attracted both local and international delegates, all of whom underscored Nigeria’s potential to become a hub for medical and wellness tourism in Africa if positioned strategically.
