News
WHX in Lagos to highlight pathways for localising West Africa’s health supply chain
West Africa’s In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market currently stands at
US$0.988 billion in 2025 and is set to grow at a 4% CAGR, reaching US$1.388 billion by 2034.
Meanwhile, Africa’s broader medical supplies market is soaring from US$6.5 billion in 2025 to
US$11.18 billion by 2031 at a 10.4% CAGR, with pharmaceutical imports, led by Nigeria’s 60% regional share, are projected to hit US$6.5 billion by 2030, straining cold-chain and logistics
infrastructure.
Yet, amid this rapid expansion, West African hospitals and labs face acute vulnerabilities; 85–99% import dependency on medical equipment and IVDs triggers two-to-four-week delays and severe downtime, foreign exchange shortages drive cost volatility, and over 70% out-of-pocket spending demands urgent efficiencies.
Procurement leaders are responding with a strategic pivot, from lowest-cost bids to service-led sourcing, foreign exchange-hedged contracts, and inventory buffering for reagents, while
regional suppliers already deliver 30–40% faster lead times.
The Hospital Investment & Buyer Leadership Forum, held in collaboration with ABCHealth on 3
June, as part of the World Health Expo (WHX) in Lagos (2-4 June 2026, Landmark Centre), creates a platform for healthcare leaders and vetted suppliers for diagnostics, cold-chain, and digital platforms to connect.
Held under the theme “Advancing hospital growth and innovation:
Investment, strategic partnerships, and technology adoption in West Africa”, attendees can look forward to intelligence on policies like Nigeria’s duty waivers, benchmarking regional
manufacturers, and securing framework agreements for crisis-ready chains, as well as capitalising on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) reforms and donor funding for transparent, tech-enabled systems.
“The Hospital Investment & Buyer Leadership Forum at WHX turns these challenges into opportunities,” Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director – Healthcare, Informa Markets explained.
He noted that“Leaders can secure framework agreements with vetted suppliers, tap AfCFTA and policyincentives like Nigeria’s duty waivers, and build crisis-resilient systems.”
According to a 2026 WHX report titled ‘Building Resilient Healthcare Supply Chains in West Africa, structural shift in West Africa is gaining momentum through localisation, with
Afreximbank’s US$75 million facility spurring the production of devices, vaccines, and biologics alongside Nigeria’s progress from 30% local medicine output in 2024 toward a 70% target by 2030.
The AfCFTA initiative is further accelerating distribution hubs in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte
d’Ivoire, enabling blended original equipment manufacturer-regional sourcing.
“The Hospital Investment & Buyer Leadership Forum at WHX is a pivotal gathering for healthcare leaders, investors, and suppliers to drive hospital expansion across Nigeria and the region,” Dr. Mories Atoki, CEO, ABCHealth said.
According to him, “We are excited to engage on key topics, from
tools and systems hospitals prioritise for better care, to strategies strengthening facilities and
workforce capabilities, innovative partnership models for resource and technology integration, and financing models enabling sustainable growth. This forum creates unmatched opportunities to forge connections that accelerate service expansion and technology adoption amid West Africa’s healthcare transformation.”
WHX brings together more than 500 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge medical solutions, over 8,000 professional visitors and 30 world-renowned speakers sharing insights that matter across three dynamic parter-led forums, creating opportunities for market expansion and strategic partnerships.
Sectors represented at the exhibition include medical devices and equipment, disposables and consumer goods, orthopaedics and physiotherapy, imaging and diagnostics, healthcare and general services, healthcare infrastructure, wellness and prevention, laboratory,
as well as IT and solutions.
New features at WHX include an integrated Lab Zone, showcasing diagnostics, equipment, and
consumables with live demonstrations, and a networking lounge for business connections, hands-on workshops, expert insights and buyer matchmaking to drive commercial outcomes.
The WHX portfolio includes three key healthcare events in Africa, held in Johannesburg, Nairobi,
and Lagos. These events form a unified platform that connects global brands with regional
distributors.
Healthcare professionals, suppliers, and investors are encouraged to register to attend WHX,
apply to exhibit, and explore its rich conference learning and networking opportunities as part of
Africa’s healthcare future.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has successfully conducted constituency executive elections in 245 out of its 276 constituencies across the country.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the exercise recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and was conducted peacefully in the constituencies where voting took place.
In an update posted on his Facebook page, he said elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes.
He added that four constituencies Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu could not hold their elections due to last minute challenges.
According to him, the party’s National Steering Committee will also review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central.
Mr Frimpong said the National Secretariat is committed to resolving all outstanding issues to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive elections.
He expressed appreciation to members of the party for their support and discipline throughout the exercise.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all Patriots for their commitment, discipline, and support, which contributed to the successful conduct of these elections,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested two Nigerian nationals in connection with the murder of a 36-year-old Nigerian man at Sanzirigu in Tamale.
The suspects, identified as Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, were arrested on Saturday, July 11, shortly after the body of Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze was found in his bedroom.
According to the Police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased lived in a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, Peace Uzorchuku, the two suspects and another Nigerian national, Godwin Nwafor.
The Police said officers began investigations after receiving a report that the deceased had been found lying in a pool of blood in his room.
A team that visited the scene found that he had suffered a deep cut to the forehead and had a towel stuffed into his mouth. The room had also been ransacked.
The Police said a wooden pestle believed to have been used in the attack, together with other items, was recovered from the scene for forensic examination.
The body was taken to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where a medical officer confirmed him dead before it was deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
According to the Police, intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the two suspects at Tatale on the same day while they were allegedly attempting to escape into the Republic of Togo.
They were later handed over to the Tamale District Criminal Investigations Department to assist with investigations.
The Police said the suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that they had conspired to kill the deceased because he had been withholding money they claimed was obtained through internet fraud.
A search conducted after their arrest led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen from the deceased’s room, including mobile phones, laptop computers, a tablet, jewellery, clothing, wristwatches, personal documents and other valuables. The Police said the items have been kept as exhibits to support the investigations.
The suspects remain in Police custody and are expected to appear before court on Monday, July 13, to facilitate the ongoing investigations.
The Northern Regional Police Command said it remains committed to bringing everyone involved in the crime to justice and urged the public to provide credible information to help fight crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
