The Enugu State government has announced a partnership with a group of Nigerians in the diaspora to construct a state-of-the-art medical city valued at over $300 million. This initiative, spearheaded by Governor Peter Mbah, aims to position Enugu as a leading hub for medical tourism in Africa.
The state government will contribute 100 hectares of land to the project, securing a 10 percent equity stake in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established for its development. Governor Mbah highlighted that this collaboration aligns with his campaign promise to expand the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and establish Enugu as a premier destination for business, investment, tourism, and living.
During a visit from the management team of African Medical City at the Government House in Enugu, Governor Mbah expressed his commitment to ensuring the project’s success. He emphasized the importance of modern medical facilities in reducing the estimated $1 billion spent annually by Nigerians on medical tourism abroad.
“What we are witnessing here today is monumental, and we cannot take the value and the significance of it for granted. This is in line with the humongous promise we made to our people during our campaign for office to grow our GDP exponentially from $4.4bn to $30bn,” Mbah stated.
He also underscored the role of the private sector in driving economic growth, supported by an enabling government framework. “Our strategy was to have a government-enabled, but private sector-driven economy. So, coming to Enugu with an investment size of over $300 million, we knew it was something that must not escape us when we heard of it. We must do everything necessary to ensure that the investment is not only sitting here but that we also recruit you as one of our testimonials,” he added.
Dr. Ethelbert Nwanegbo, Chairman of the African Medical City, praised the state’s efforts to create a favorable investment climate. Dr. Uchenna Ogbozor, President and CEO of African Medical City, confirmed the scale of the investment and the government’s land contribution, which constitutes 10 percent of the project’s total value.
This landmark project is expected to significantly boost Enugu’s economic landscape and healthcare sector, attracting further investments and enhancing the state’s reputation as a conducive environment for business and development.
