WHX 2026: Global Brands Converge in Lagos to Address Nigeria’s Growing Healthcare Demands
The 15th edition of the World Health Expo (WHX) has commenced in Lagos, bringing together over 500 exhibitors from 40 countries to showcase breakthrough technologies in medical imaging, AI-driven health solutions, and advanced diagnostics. The event, formerly known as Medic West Africa, has evolved into the region’s most influential business platform for laboratory sciences and pharmacy. Industry leaders at the event stressed that the future of Nigerian healthcare lies in local capacity building and strategic partnerships.
Mr Felix Ofungwu, CEO of ISN Medical, voiced his concern over the practice of referring medical tests abroad, which he argued “robs the country of the opportunity to develop local expertise”.
He revealed that ISN is investing millions of naira annually in training to ensure diagnostic tests for diseases like cancer can be performed locally. Ofungwu highlighted collaborations with the African Medical Center of Excellence in Abuja to provide gold-standard testing for multiple myeloma, a deadly blood cancer. “We’re now able to use those solutions to not just detect cancer at very, very early stages but even predict the possibilities that someone might have cancer,” he added.
Exhibitors expressed strong optimism about the Nigerian market. Eunice of Pinecrest Healthcare Ltd described the event as a “colorful exhibition” that has allowed the company to increase its brand visibility for products ranging from blood glucose monitors to electrolyte analysis systems. Similarly, Neana from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) noted that the South Korean embassy is supporting Korean companies to enter the Nigerian market. “We see that Nigeria is a very big market, a very interesting market,” she said, explaining their mission to encourage more international participation.
The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) also emphasized the importance of market access on both the supply and demand sides. Through its training academy, the HFN is guiding entrepreneurs on organizational structuring to better position them for funding in the competitive healthcare landscape.