Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, takes a major step forward for healthcare in Central Africa. On March 26, Afreximbank and the Cameroonian authorities signed the cession of 10 hectares of land in Nkolmveng, near Nsimalen Airport, to launch the construction of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE). This future hub will provide specialized care, train healthcare professionals, and help curb medical exodus, as Africa loses nearly 7 billion USD annually due to medical tourism.
In a major step to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Central Africa, Afreximbank and the Cameroonian authorities signed an agreement on March 26 for the cession of 10 hectares of land to Afreximbank, enabling the launch of construction works for the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Yaoundé, specifically at Nsimalen. The cooperation will focus on finalizing the land and operational aspects of the project, following technical discussions between the Afreximbank delegation and the Cameroonian government.
We have moved from a phase of persuasion and planning to a phase of action. The State, like Afreximbank, has recognized the necessity of this project. It is a high-quality achievement, now entering the implementation phase. The State is granting us a 10-hectare plot, allowing Afreximbank to begin construction of this world-class hospital starting today.
George Elombi, President of Afreximbank
The agreement will favor the creation of a modern and specialized medical facility in Cameroon, designed as a center of excellence for training healthcare professionals, treating complex diseases, and attracting patients from across the region, thereby reducing medical tourism. According to Afreximbank, Africa loses around $7 billion annually due to this phenomenon. The center will provide high-level care in oncology, cardiology, and hematology.
This is a center of healthcare excellence that will bring back to Yaoundé not only healthcare professionals, doctors, technicians, and professors currently abroad, but also African patients. The project will help create jobs while giving our patients the opportunity to receive treatment locally.
Célestine Ketcha Courtès, Minister of Housing and Urban Development
According to experts, this agreement is part of Afreximbank’s broader strategy to drive the development of key socio-economic sectors in Africa, particularly healthcare, in line with its mandate to promote trade and investment across the continent. A similar project has already been successfully implemented in Abuja, Nigeria, as part of the Bank’s long-term objective to establish a network of world-class healthcare facilities across Africa.
