The project will draw on King's world-leading insight and expertise in healthcare education and training to create a model to be rolled out across the continent. The signing ceremony, which took place at the Strand Campus at King’s College London, on 24 November 2023, represents a historic milestone in the development of quality medical personnel for the continent.

The partnership builds on King’s long-standing commitment to Africa and a legacy of working in collaboration to deliver education and impactful research partnerships in the region for the benefit of all.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) health workforce support and safeguards list for 2023, cited that 55 countries, 40 of them in Africa, grapple with significant health staffing shortages, meaning they have fewer than the median of 49 health workers per 10,000 people. In essence, approximately 80% of Africa is currently experiencing medical staff shortages, due to high rates of healthcare professionals leaving to work in other countries.

The establishment of the new medical and nursing centre is a proactive response to address this critical issue. By providing world-class facilities and medical education, these schools would aim to mitigate the shortage of healthcare professionals, offering a sustainable solution to elevate the standard of healthcare across the continent and reduce the dependence on external sources and medical tourism. It would also guarantee that the African Medical Centres Excellence (AMCEs), which are being developed across Africa by the Bank, is adequately resourced with high-quality medical and nursing personnel.

The signing ceremony was attended by delegates from Afreximbank, led by President Benedict Oramah (also Chairman of the AMCE Board), and Clinical Medical Advisors (CMAs) to the AMCE Initiative (Prof. Mufti Ghulam). Prof Benedict Oramah said "The integrated Medical and Nursing Schools will be pivotal in ensuring that we can develop medical skills on the continent and foster new generations of homegrown medical professionals to meet Africa’s own challenges This collaborative endeavour is more than just a partnership; it's a visionary step towards an empowered healthcare landscape defining a new era for the continent."

The signing ceremony was also attended by representatives from King’s College London, including Prof. Richard Trembath (Senior Vice President (Health & Life Sciences) and Executive Director of King’s Health Partners) and  Dr. Helen Bailey (Deputy Vice President, Global Business Development); as well as representatives from King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – with which Afreximbank have an existing partnership. 

Dr Tunji “Tj” Lasoye, Director of Medical Education at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Medical Director for Nigeria and West Africa with King’s Commercial, said: “I am delighted that King’s College London and Afreximbank have signed an MoA to test the feasibility of establishing a medical and nursing school in Abuja, Nigeria. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust via King’s Commercial have partnered with Afreximbank to establish the African Medical Centre of Excellence, which will be a top-class medical facility and is set to open in Abuja, Nigeria in early 2025. Having a King’s College London medical and nursing school alongside the medical facility will ensure a prosperous healthcare system for generations to come.”