The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) says Nigeria and other African nations are losing billions of dollars annually to medical tourism.

Afreximbank’s Export Development Managing Director, Mrs Oluranti Doherty, made the assertion while speaking at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja on Thursday.

Doherty said the trend was hindering economic development and local healthcare infrastructure.

She identified the soaring costs of medical tourism as a major drain on African economies.

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According to her, Nigeria alone loses an estimated $1.1 billion annually to medical tourism, while the entire African continent collectively forfeits approximately $7 billion yearly.

“We had our member countries losing a lot of foreign exchange to medical tourism.

“We just talked about Nigeria, where our medical tourism annually is about $1.1 billion.

“The entire continent is about $7 billion just because we can’t help ourselves with ourselves when we come up with chronic diseases.

“ That’s money that’s going to other economies, building up their institutions,” she said.

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She noted that the capital outflow diverts funds that could be invested in local healthcare.

Doherty added that the development contributes to a “brain drain” of skilled medical professionals from the continent.

“Another thing we noted was a great way we were losing a lot of our good talents.
“The best of talents in the health sector were going out of the continent, working in places such as India, Asia, Middle East, America, and that often was an issue,” she said.

Doherty said the bank launched its Health and Medical Tourism Programme in 2012 long before the broader recognition of healthcare’s connection to economic security in response to the challenge.

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“Afreximbank was innovative. I call us the innovative financier, innovative investors.

“We recognised this part since 2012 and we set about doing something about it.

“A key initiative borne from this foresight is the Africa Medical Center of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, a 170-bed facility boasting state-of-the-art equipment, including an 18 MeV cyclotron, a three-Tesla MRI, and a 20-bed ICU.

“Afreximbank has invested over $450 million to establish and scale up this project,” she said.

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The official praised the leadership behind the AMCE, noting, “Afreximbank had to go where no one has gone before; Afreximbank’s leaders adhered to the dreamers.

“The AMCE aims to provide healthcare services comparable to global standards, not just African standards.

“I’m talking about global standard. I’m talking about Africans coming up with solutions to challenge,” she said.

She, however, stressed the need to build trust in local healthcare facilities and ensure access for all to stem medical tourism.

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 27-year-old teacher, Wisdom Anokwuru, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged sexual assault on two pupils.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.O Kushanu, who did not take Anokwuru’s plea, ordered that the file should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

Kushanu adjourned the case until Sept. 15 for mention.

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The defendant, who resides at No. 5, Goodluck Avenue, Ibaranje, Ikotun, Lagos, is facing a charge of sexual assault.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 17 at a private school in Ikotun, Lagos.

Ademigbuji said that the defendant took the girls, both 8-year-old to the school library and touched their private parts.

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He said that the defendant also showed the girls a porn video on his phone.

Ademigbuji said the girls later informed the school administrator and the defendant was subsequently arrested.

The prosecutor said offences contravened Sections 135 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.(

In 2025, global internet speed rankings continue to reveal much about a country’s digital infrastructure, affordability, and technological advancement.

According to the latest real-time data compiled from Speedtest – a platform used daily by millions to test connection quality – Qatar leads the world in mobile internet speeds, with a blistering average of 286.42 Mbps.

The rankings reflect the genuine experience of users around the world and offer valuable insight for travelers, digital nomads, and businesses evaluating global connectivity.

The data also factors in mobile data pricing, making it easier to weigh both speed and cost.

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1. Qatar

Qatar ranks first globally in mobile internet speed in 2025, with an average of 286.42 Mbps. The country’s consistent investment in digital infrastructure, particularly around its smart city initiatives and 5G rollout, has paid off. Mobile data remains affordable at $2.40, offering both speed and value.

2. UAE

The United Arab Emirates comes in second with 284.21 Mbps. Known for its tech-forward cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE has heavily prioritized telecommunications infrastructure. Though slightly more expensive at $4.61 per GB, the quality of service is among the best in the world.

3. Kuwait

Kuwait takes the third spot with 216.96 Mbps. What sets Kuwait apart is not only its high speed but also its remarkably low mobile data cost—just $0.52. This makes it one of the most cost-effective countries for internet users.

4. South Korea

South Korea, long recognized as a global tech leader, offers 173.95 Mbps in average mobile internet speed. While its data is pricier at $5.01, the country’s reliable and densely connected network supports a tech-savvy population and widespread smart services.

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5. Denmark

Denmark ranks fifth with 157.94 Mbps and impressively low mobile data pricing at $0.69. Its strong digital infrastructure and push toward nationwide 5G adoption have made it a model for connectivity in Europe.

6. China

China delivers fast and extremely affordable internet, with average speeds of 144.85 Mbps and mobile data priced at only $0.38 per GB. As the world’s largest internet market, China’s blend of scale, speed, and low cost is unmatched.

7. Norway

Norway maintains high speeds at 141.40 Mbps. Despite its mountainous terrain and scattered population, the country has developed a resilient mobile network. The average mobile data price is $4.07, reflecting its high standard of living.

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8. Iceland

Iceland, with an average speed of 136.91 Mbps and data priced at $1.08, benefits from its compact geography and strong public investment in technology. It consistently ranks high in digital readiness and broadband penetration.

9. Netherlands

The Netherlands offers 134.15 Mbps internet speeds. Known for its efficient urban planning and digital innovation, it provides reliable connectivity with a data cost of $1.61 per GB, making it an attractive destination for tech users.

10. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia rounds out the top ten with 125.19 Mbps. The kingdom has rapidly improved its telecom infrastructure in recent years, with ongoing efforts to diversify its economy through tech and digital services. Mobile data is competitively priced at $1.49.