In sub-Saharan African countries such as Nigeria, access to basic AHR treatments can be difficult, if not impossible, for many couples wishing to conceive. Many fear the negative consequences of childlessness resulting from social pressure. Unfortunately, societal norms dictate that women are the cause of infertility, ignoring male infertility. Infertility comes at a high financial, emotional and physical price for many couples in Nigeria, but thanks to medical advances, things are changing.
With a population of 182 million, growing by 3% a year according to the World Bank, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. Some 105 million Nigerians, or around 59% of the population, are under the age of 35. However, over the last ten years, the Ministry of Health has noted a decline in the level of fertility among couples. Indeed, according to a review of the epidemiology of infertility in Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa published in 2021, Nigeria’s fertility rate stands at 5.3, meaning that a Nigerian woman should have at least five children in her lifetime. Only 16.4% of couples are unable to procreate, a figure 3% higher than the European average.
“ Infertility carries a big stigma in Nigeria and it’s very difficult for couples dealing with infertility to sustain a marriage. That’s why they run for treatment. IVF has evolved to be the cornerstone of infertility treatment and it’s very difficult to offer infertility treatment service without access to IVF. ”
Dr Richardson Ajayi, Director of the Bridge Clinic – Nigeria
With its ambition to democratise access to assisted reproduction, the Nigerian government is aiming for a 27% infertility prevalence and IVF subsidy rate by 2030. The prevalence of infertility is generally higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in most other regions. Given the poverty, the high cost of infertility treatments is associated with a significant spending risk. Since 2015, the cost of IVF has remained stagnant at 900,000 naira for an IVF cycle. An amount beyond the means of a significant fringe of the population.
“Our biggest challenge is the cost. Our cost is a lot higher than anybody else because because we try to meet this stringent requirements3”
Dr Richardson Ajayi, Director of the Bridge Clinic – Nigeria
Despite these challenges and thanks to the expertise of Nigerian doctors, the average IVF success rate is estimated at 40-60% for a patient under 35 and 30-35% for a patient over 35.