West Africa’s healthcare ecosystem is fragmented, making it difficult to provide coordinated and efficient care.

This is due to a variety of factors including inadequate human resources for health, high cost of healthcare, and most importantly, inadequately equipped and poorly maintained healthcare facilities.

These challenges have a significant impact on the quality of life experienced by people in West Africa.

With existing gaps in the sector, there is a need for collaborative efforts between all agents in the industry who altogether redefine the dynamics of healthcare delivery.

The leading healthcare trade event in West Africa, Medic West Africa, is returning to Lagos, Nigeria from 26-28 September 2023.

The event will be held at the Landmark Centre and will feature a comprehensive exhibition of the latest healthcare technologies and solutions, as well as a series of conferences and workshops addressing key issues facing the healthcare sector in West Africa.

What is Medic West Africa?

Medic West Africa, organized by Informa Markets, a leading global exhibitions organizer, is the largest gathering of healthcare professionals across the value chain in the region.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in this edition, the event will build on the successes of past events to deliver an insightful and engaging experience for all attendees, whilst fulfilling its purpose of aiding the transformation of the region’s health systems.

In 2022, the event attracted over 3,200 healthcare professionals from 84 countries and facilitated USD 30 million in business deals.

The 2023 edition of Medic West Africa is expected to be even bigger and better than previous years.

The event will feature over 150 exhibiting companies from around the world, showcasing the latest in medical equipment, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare IT.

With an expected 4500+ attendees representing 32 countries, Medic West Africa is set to provide an exceptional networking hub for manufacturers, distributors, procurement professionals, dealers, medical professionals, and regulators.

Technological innovations showcased at previous Medic West Africa events are already making undeniable impacts in the healthcare industry.

This includes Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring devices which have allowed healthcare professionals to provide medical consultations and monitor patients’ conditions remotely. This has improved access to healthcare, especially in remote areas, and reduced the need for physical visits, saving time and resources.

Other innovations include Electronic Health Records (EHRs) which have streamlined patient care, reduced paperwork, and improved the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare delivery; technological advancements in medical imaging such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound, that have led to better diagnosis and treatment planning for various medical conditions; wearable health devices promoting healthier lifestyles and helping people become more proactive about their wellbeing; and robotic surgical systems which have improved surgical precision and minimized invasive procedures, leading to quicker patient recovery times and better outcomes.

What’s New in 2023?

This year’s Medic West Africa event will also mark the launch of Medlab West Africa, an event dedicated to the medical laboratory sector. Medlab West Africa will be held alongside Medic West Africa and will feature a comprehensive exhibition of the latest laboratory equipment, supplies, and services.

Medlab West Africa conferences will promote stakeholder dialogue in areas of leadership and management affecting West African healthcare providers, whilst providing a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic healthcare landscape in West Africa. It will launch laboratory conference tracks focusing on immunology, laboratory & quality management, and clinical microbiology; all of which are CPD accredited.

Attendees will gain insights into international healthcare quality standards and frameworks, learn from successful case studies of healthcare quality implementation in West African countries, and collaborate with other experts to foster improved healthcare outcomes.

Why You Should Attend

If you’re a healthcare professional, a business in the healthcare sector, or simply interested in the future of healthcare in West Africa, this is the event for you. It’s more than an exhibition—it’s a platform for change.

The event is a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services, for professionals to learn about the latest trends and technologies, and for stakeholders to come together and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s healthcare system.

In addition to the exhibition and conference program, Medic West Africa will also host several networking events and social activities.

These events will provide attendees with the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves while making new connections.

The three-day event, held at Landmark Center between 07th – 09th September, hosted over 150 exhibiting companies from 32 countries showcasing the latest healthcare equipment and solutions innovations.

The acclaimed event, the largest gathering of healthcare trade professionals in the region, provided not only an exceptional networking hub for manufacturers, distributors, procurement professionals, dealers, medical professionals, and regulators; but also a platform to drive the discourse on key challenges affecting our regional healthcare systems to unearth sustainable solutions.

The event was well-attended by key stakeholders including the Deputy Governor, Ogun State, Engr. (Mrs). Noimot Salako-Oyedele; the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi; and the Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr (Mrs) Tomi Coker; amongst other players in the healthcare industry. 

Speaking on the need for Medic West Africa as a platform to bridge the technology and knowledge in Nigeria and West Africa, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, stated: “I think it is very important that these technologies needed to upgrade our health industry and provide international-standard healthcare are brought to our doorstep. I welcome Medic West Africa as a platform for key stakeholders to explore what is needed for our facilities and learn more about the newest innovations in healthcare. Having had conversations with exhibitors present and receiving assurance from the manufacturers of their understanding of local context and needs, I am quite happy with what I have witnessed here at Medic West Africa”.

Mr Amogh Wadwalkar, Medic West Africa’s Exhibition Manager, expressed his satisfaction at its growth, continuity of legacy, and impact.

He said, “Ten years ago, Medic West Africa began as a platform to showcase the latest innovations in healthcare technology to industry players for the advancement of regional health infrastructures. Now, it has grown to not only be a peerless exhibition platform but also a place of discourse concerning topical issues challenging the healthcare industry. This year marks our 9th edition and continues our mission as the premier healthcare trade event and the largest gathering of healthcare trade professionals in the region. We have welcomed thousands of visitors during the past three days to not only explore the newest healthcare technologies but also to build relationships for the sustainable growth of the sector. By inviting and connecting all parties in the health ecosystem, we have facilitated a platform to unearth solutions for the greatest challenges affecting the industry and our communities”.

Among the technologies exhibited at the conference were state-of-the-art imaging & diagnostics, laboratory equipment, IT systems & solutions, healthcare infrastructure & assets, disposables & consumer goods, pharmaceuticals & supplements, and medical equipment & instruments, among many others.

The revolutionary High-V MRI platform by Siemens Healthineers, Magnetom Free.Star, was one of the highlights of the event, astounding visitors as they explored its disruptive and innovative features, including its DryCool technology.

As a virtually helium-free scanner with an ultra-compact footprint and a weight of 3 tons, it harnesses the power of the very latest digitalization technologies to truly improve lives.

Solenne Singer, Informa Market’s Group Director for Healthcare, also conveyed the primary goal for Medic West Africa and its unique offerings for this edition, “Our role at Informa Markets is to bring together manufacturers to meet with local buyers to aid in the sourcing of health equipment and solutions for their facilities and the people of Nigeria. We have expended a lot of effort so that the needs of exhibitors and visitors are fulfilled here at the event. This year, we unveiled a laboratory segment, Medlab, as the highlight of the show. A distinguished exhibition showcasing innovative products across the medical laboratory industry, it sets the foundation for the introduction of quality diagnostics and care to Nigeria. For future editions, it will be a growing segment with the addition of a representative conference alongside the exhibition.”

As an annual gathering which hosts hundreds of leading healthcare companies and thousands of healthcare medical professionals, Medic West Africa retained its position as the best gateway to access the West African healthcare market.

This year, it continued to provide unmatched networking opportunities and connected various agents on the B2B spectrum.

Through its exhibitions & conferences, Medic West Africa attracted regional healthcare professionals, policymakers, and service providers who value the power of knowledge-sharing, networking, and business for the end goal of transforming West African health infrastructures.

Organised by Informa Markets, the 9^th edition of the show will bring together healthcare equipment manufacturers, distributors, procurement professionals, dealers, medical practitioners, and regulators.

More than 5,000 healthcare professionals are expected to attend, with 150 exhibitors representing 32 countries taking part. Addressing post-pandemic market needs, the event will furthermore see the addition of a dedicated space for laboratory professionals for the first time, “Medlab Area”.

Amogh Wadwalkar, Exhibition Manager, Medic West Africa, said: “Medic West Africa is the premier healthcare exhibition and conference platform showcasing global healthcare technologies and innovations in support of healthcare solutions in Nigeria and West Africa. We look forward to connecting all parties in the healthcare ecosystem as the one-stop shop for all healthcare sourcing and procurement needs in the region, and to unveil the latest innovations in healthcare technology – needed for the urgent transformation of our health infrastructures.”

Among the scheduled exhibitors are leading local and international industry players such as GE Healthcare West Africa, Siemens Healthineers, DCL Laboratories, Erba Manheim, Alpha Specialties, Qiagen, Abbott, and Standard Electro Medical Equipment Company (SEMED). Products and services on display will include state-of-the-art imaging equipment, laboratory and IVD technology, developments in surgery, advances in prosthetics, cost-effective disposables, among many others.

In addition, Medic West Africa is set to play host to several interactive sessions, leveraging the expertise of key players in the industry on topical issues for the advancement of the healthcare industry.

Cynthia Makarutse, Senior Conference Producer, Medic West Africa, explained: “In collaboration with Nigerian healthcare societies, Medic West Africa conferences will promote dialogue on key stakeholder issues for the advancement of the industry. We connect government stakeholders with leading commercial entities to deliver solutions on topical issues and challenges facing healthcare professionals in West Africa. The conference will focus on key post-pandemic outcomes such as innovation and disruption, health equity and workforce resilience. It is the pre-eminent event for healthcare professionals who value the power of knowledge-sharing, networking, and business”.

Key discussions will occur in the following planned conferences:

• Healthcare Leadership Conference – ‘Leveraging disruption in healthcare – opportunities & challenges in technology’, in partnership with the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria.
• Quality Management Conference — ‘Human Resource for Healthcare: Building an efficient and resilient workforce’, in partnership with the Society for Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria.
• Healthcare Business Conference — ‘Consumer-Driven Healthcare Innovations (CDHIs) – Data, Devices and Digital Health Solutions’, in partnership with Healthcare Leadership Academy.
• Access to Healthcare Conference — ‘COVID – A socioeconomic phenomenon’, in partnership with Bey Health.

Attendance at the Medic West Africa trade exhibition is free for healthcare and trade professionals.