Nigeria takes centre stage as global healthcare investors, buyers storm Lagos

… WHX 2026 to drive medical trade, diagnostics, digital health investments
By Chioma Obinna

Nigeria’s growing influence in Africa’s healthcare economy will come into sharp focus next week as thousands of global healthcare investors, manufacturers, policymakers and laboratory experts converge on Lagos for the 2026 edition of the World Health Expo Lagos 2026.

The three-day event, scheduled for June 2 to 4 at the Landmark Centre, is expected to attract more than 8,000 participants, over 500 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and dozens of international healthcare leaders seeking business partnerships and investment opportunities in West Africa’s expanding health sector.

The development comes amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government to reposition Nigeria as a major healthcare manufacturing, procurement and diagnostics hub through reforms under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, PVAC.

Industry stakeholders said the conference is expected to open fresh opportunities for healthcare financing, medical technology partnerships, laboratory expansion and digital health investments at a time Nigeria’s healthcare system is witnessing increasing demand for modern equipment and improved service delivery.

Speaking ahead of the expo, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Njide Ndili, said the event would strengthen regional medical trade and improve access to healthcare innovations across West Africa.

“As a leading platform for product discovery, WHX allows buyers to explore and compare healthcare and diagnostics products ranging from basic consumables to advanced laboratory systems relevant to the West African market,” she said.

“By strengthening medical trade across West Africa, WHX helps accelerate procurement, unlock new supply chains and scale innovations that improve access to quality healthcare.”

According to officials ahead of the conference, digital health investments across Africa reached $3.8 billion in 2023 and are projected to hit $16.6 billion by 2030 as hospitals increasingly adopt electronic medical records, AI-assisted diagnostics and smart laboratory technologies.

The experts said the shift toward digitisation is helping hospitals reduce operational costs, improve diagnosis and maintain continuity of patient care, particularly in underserved communities.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Portfolio Director, Healthcare, Informa Markets, Tom Coleman, described Lagos as a strategic gateway for healthcare business in Africa.

“When WHX opens in Lagos next week, it will bring together buyers, suppliers, investors and policymakers in one place to drive deals, partnerships and innovation across West Africa’s healthcare value chain,” Coleman stated.

He noted that the exhibition would serve as a meeting point for healthcare procurement agencies, hospital managers, laboratory directors, investors and global manufacturers seeking entry into Nigeria’s healthcare market.

The event will showcase innovations in diagnostics, medical imaging, healthcare infrastructure, laboratory technologies, medical devices, IT systems, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and wellness products.

Organisers also disclosed that this year’s edition would feature a specialised Lab Zone for diagnostics and laboratory technologies, alongside hands-on workshops, live demonstrations and distributor matchmaking sessions aimed at strengthening healthcare supply chains in the region.

Three major policy and investment forums are also expected to hold during the exhibition, focusing on healthcare market access, hospital investments and laboratory systems strengthening.

The organisers said the conference further underscored Nigeria’s growing importance as a healthcare investment destination and a regional centre for medical trade and innovation in Africa.

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