The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called for an end to health tourism in Nigeria, advocating for increased local investment in pharmaceutical production and stronger partnerships with global health players to achieve medical self-sufficiency.
At the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event in Lagos on June 4, 2025, the first of its kind held on African soil, Aliko Dangote expressed concern over the continued trend of Nigerians, including the wealthy, seeking medical treatment abroad, calling it unacceptable and urging greater investment in local healthcare infrastructure.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery
“What we need to do is make sure we stop this health tourism and start producing our drugs,” he said during a panel session, emphasising the need for sustained collaboration with Bill Gates and his foundation.
The event, which brought together global leaders and changemakers to assess progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), featured Aliko Dangote reflecting on past partnerships that played a key role in eradicating polio in Nigeria and advancing nutrition initiatives.
He warned that overreliance on foreign health systems stifles local innovation and creates inequality in care access. “We need to make sure that when we are sick, we don’t have to travel abroad,” he said.
Dangote highlighted Nigeria’s remarkable shift from being Africa’s second-largest cement importer to becoming a net exporter, citing it as proof that similar success could be achieved in the health sector. His group now leads the continent in cement exports, demonstrating the potential for local industries to thrive with strategic investment and innovation
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He said Nigerian farmers once struggled to access fertiliser in agriculture, but that changed with the launch of the Dangote Fertiliser plant, the second-largest globally. The plant now ships 37 per cent of its output to the United States.
He praised the success of his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which exported 400,000 metric tons of petrol in May alone. He declared that Nigeria has achieved energy independence, no longer relying on imported petrol, marking a historic turning point for the country’s energy sector.
Nigeria and other African nations must curb health tourism to strengthen their local healthcare systems and pharmaceutical industries. Dependence on foreign medical treatments keeps African countries reliant on imported drugs, hindering the growth of domestic pharmaceutical production. By investing in local drug manufacturing, they can significantly reduce costs, enhance access to essential medicines, and build a sustainable healthcare sector.
Health tourism drains billions from African economies annually. When wealthy individuals and government officials travel abroad for treatment, they spend money that could otherwise fuel local hospitals, research institutions, and drug manufacturers. Retaining healthcare spending within the continent would boost GDP, create jobs, and drive industrial growth.
A strong pharmaceutical industry requires a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals, research centres, and training facilities. Ending health tourism forces governments and private investors to prioritise local healthcare development, ensuring access to world-class treatment for all citizens, not just the wealthy.
The emergence of global emergencies, such as pandemics, highlights the dangers of relying on foreign health systems. When international travel is restricted, African countries with weak medical infrastructure suffer. Investing in local healthcare ensures preparedness for future crises, reducing dependence on external aid.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & Answers:
What is health tourism, and why is Aliko Dangote advocating against it?
Health tourism refers to people travelling abroad for medical treatment. Dangote opposes it because he believes Nigeria should invest in local healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical production to achieve medical self-sufficiency.
What solutions did Aliko Dangote propose for Nigeria’s healthcare system?
He emphasised the need for greater investment in local drug production, stronger partnerships with global health players, and sustainable infrastructure development to reduce reliance on foreign healthcare.
How did past collaborations with Bill Gates impact Nigeria’s health sector?
Partnerships between Dangote and the Gates Foundation played a crucial role in eradicating polio in Nigeria and advancing nutrition initiatives, showcasing the potential of strategic collaborations in improving public health.
What example did Dangote provide to illustrate local industry success?
He cited Nigeria’s transformation from being Africa’s second-largest cement importer to a net exporter, showing that similar success can be achieved in healthcare with investment and innovation.
What other sectors has Dangote revolutionised in Nigeria?
Dangote spearheaded developments in agriculture with his fertiliser plant, in energy with his refinery, and in construction with cement exports, proving Nigeria’s capacity for industrial self-sufficiency.
