The African Development Bank Group has approved a $46 million loan to finance the Sokoto State Health Infrastructure Project, a major initiative aimed at improving access to and the quality of healthcare services in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This intervention comes in response to alarming health statistics in the region, where only one in twenty children is fully vaccinated, and infant mortality reaches 104 deaths per 1,000 live births—almost twice the national average. Furthermore, less than 14 percent of health facilities in the state are functional, and the doctor-to-population ratio is one to 8,285, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio.
The funding will support the construction and equipping of climate-resilient health infrastructure across various levels of care. This includes a 1,000-bed teaching hospital, three zonal hospitals with a total of 450 beds, and six primary healthcare centers located in rural areas. The project also involves rehabilitating health training institutions and building a modern medical warehouse to enhance the pharmaceutical supply chain.
According to Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank’s Nigeria Office, this investment is a demonstration of the Bank’s ongoing commitment to addressing infrastructure gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. He emphasized that improving healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto will foster hope and better health outcomes for millions.
The project is aligned with Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021–2025) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. It is expected to create around 2,500 jobs, with 60 percent of the roles designated for youth and 30 percent for women. It will also introduce electronic health systems and renewable energy solutions to support sustainability and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, the expansion of local medical and nursing training facilities will allow 700 more students to be trained annually, helping alleviate the shortage of skilled health workers.
This new initiative builds on the Bank’s prior investments in Nigeria’s health sector, where it has already supported four infrastructure projects totaling over $117 million. It will also work alongside partners such as UNICEF, WHO, and USAID to ensure integrated and impactful improvements in healthcare delivery.
The African Development Bank reaffirms its commitment to improving the quality of life in Africa through strategic investments in resilient, inclusive, and climate-adapted health systems that promote sustainable development across the continent.
