West Africa Healthcare Forum 2025

On the Tuesday, 19th August 2025, KPMG West Africa brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, and healthcare experts for a powerful dialogue on sustainable and innovative financing for Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The challenges remain daunting: one of the highest rates of out-of-pocket spending globally, continued brain drain in the clinical workforce, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, and the mounting impact of climate change on health. Against this backdrop, participants agreed that the case for innovative, predictable, and progressive financing has never been stronger.

The Federal Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, underscored government’s commitment to universal health coverage and the importance of aligning all stakeholders behind a unified national health agenda. Dr. Iziaq Salako, Honourable Minister of State for Health, highlighted the Renewed Hope Agenda as a pathway to stronger, people-centered health systems driven by digital adoption and coordinated financing.

Adding a global perspective, Dr. Anna van Poucke, KPMG Global Head of Healthcare, drew on lessons from more than 70 country practices to illustrate how blended finance, climate-health funding, PPPs, and AI-driven solutions are already transforming healthcare and could be adapted for Nigeria.

The high-level panel brought these ideas to life with practical contributions:

• Dr. Ashiru Adamu Abubakar (SWAp Coordination Office) emphasized the “One Plan, One Budget, One Report” framework as critical to aligning fragmented resources and ensuring accountability.
• Dr. Dave Mc Conalogue (FCDO) shared insights on climate-resilient health financing and the urgent need to reduce dependency on donor funding.
• Brian Deaver (CEO, African Medical Centre of Excellence) spoke on how private sector investments can expand Nigeria’s healthcare capacity, citing AMCE as an example of innovative funding translating into regional impact.
• Dr. Ed Fitzgerald (KPMG International) discussed the need for inclusive financing frameworks that combine innovation with equity so that reforms do not widen access gaps.

The discussion was moderated seamlessly by Victoria Shoyombo, who guided the dialogue toward actionable insights.

A clear consensus emerged: Nigeria’s healthcare financing future cannot rest on government alone. It must be shaped through collective action: mobilising domestic resources, leveraging private sector capital, unlocking global and climate health funds, and fostering innovation to make healthcare both accessible and sustainable.

At KPMG, we are proud to have convened this important conversation and remain committed to working with governments, partners, and investors to strengthen healthcare systems and improve lives across West Africa.

See highlights from the event below.