Top 10 Biggest Hospitals in Africa (2025 Updated List)

Healthcare is one of the most critical sectors in Africa, impacting millions of lives every day. As populations grow and medical needs increase, large hospitals play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive care, advanced treatments, and specialized services. Knowing which hospitals are the biggest in Africa is essential for patients, medical professionals, and investors seeking to understand the continent’s healthcare infrastructure.

In 2025, Africa has seen remarkable growth in healthcare facilities, with several hospitals expanding their capacity, adding state-of-the-art medical technology, and offering specialized care for complex medical conditions. This guide explores the top 10 biggest hospitals in Africa, highlighting their bed capacity, specialties, patient care services, and significance in the healthcare system.

By the end of this article, you’ll know which hospitals are the largest, what they offer, and how they compare in terms of size, services, and reputation. Whether you’re a patient seeking specialized treatment, a medical professional looking for opportunities, or a healthcare investor, this guide provides valuable insights.

Why the Biggest Hospitals Matter in Africa

Large hospitals in Africa serve several crucial purposes:

1. Capacity for High Patient Volume – Bigger hospitals can accommodate thousands of patients at a time, reducing wait times and handling medical emergencies effectively.

2. Advanced Medical Technology – Large facilities often invest in modern diagnostic and treatment equipment.

3. Specialized Medical Care – From cardiology to neurosurgery, bigger hospitals provide services not available in smaller clinics.

4. Research and Training – These hospitals often serve as teaching hospitals for medical schools and training centers for healthcare professionals.

5. Regional Healthcare Hubs – Many of the largest hospitals attract patients from across the country or even neighboring nations.

For individuals in South Africa and across Africa, knowing which hospitals are largest and most equipped is essential when seeking high-quality care.

Factors That Define the Biggest Hospitals

When we rank hospitals by size, we consider:

• Bed Capacity: The number of inpatient beds a hospital can accommodate.

• Physical Infrastructure: Number of wards, operating theaters, and diagnostic centers.

• Medical Specialties: Range of services provided, such as surgery, oncology, cardiology, pediatrics, and emergency care.

• Patient Volume: Number of patients treated annually.

• Staff Strength: Number of doctors, nurses, and medical personnel employed.

These factors help identify hospitals that are truly large in both size and operational capability.

Top 10 Biggest Hospitals in Africa (2025 Updated List)

1. Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital – South Africa

• Location: Soweto, Johannesburg

• Bed Capacity: 3,400+ beds

• Specialties: Trauma, general surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology

• Significance: Largest hospital in Africa and one of the largest in the world, serving millions of patients annually.

• Additional Info: Acts as a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand, training thousands of medical students and healthcare professionals.

2. Groote Schuur Hospital – South Africa

• Location: Cape Town

• Bed Capacity: 1,200+ beds

• Specialties: Transplant surgery, cardiology, neurology, trauma care

• Significance: Known globally for the first successful heart transplant.

• Additional Info: A major academic hospital linked with the University of Cape Town.

3. King Fahd Hospital of the University – Nigeria

• Location: Kano

• Bed Capacity: 1,000+ beds

• Specialties: Surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics

• Significance: One of Nigeria’s largest tertiary hospitals, providing extensive outpatient and inpatient services.

• Additional Info: Supports medical research and training for the University of Kano.

4. Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital – South Africa

• Location: Johannesburg

• Bed Capacity: 1,088 beds

• Specialties: Oncology, trauma, pediatrics, general medicine

• Significance: One of the busiest hospitals in South Africa, handling large volumes of emergency and elective cases.

• Additional Info: Provides specialized care for high-risk patients and complex surgeries.

5. Muhimbili National Hospital – Tanzania

• Location: Dar es Salaam

• Bed Capacity: 1,500+ beds

• Specialties: Cardiology, neurology, oncology, emergency medicine

• Significance: Largest referral and teaching hospital in Tanzania, serving patients nationwide.

• Additional Info: Works closely with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences for research and training.

6. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital – Ghana

• Location: Accra

• Bed Capacity: 2,000+ beds

• Specialties: General medicine, surgery, obstetrics, cardiology, neurology

• Significance: Largest hospital in Ghana, handling both local and international patients.

• Additional Info: Serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Ghana Medical School.

7. Addis Ababa University Black Lion Hospital – Ethiopia

• Location: Addis Ababa

• Bed Capacity: 800+ beds

• Specialties: Surgery, oncology, obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency care

• Significance: Largest hospital in Ethiopia, providing referral services nationwide.

• Additional Info: Linked to Addis Ababa University, supporting medical education and research.

8. Tygerberg Hospital – South Africa

• Location: Cape Town

• Bed Capacity: 1,384 beds

• Specialties: Trauma, oncology, surgery, pediatrics

• Significance: Major teaching hospital affiliated with Stellenbosch University.

• Additional Info: Handles thousands of cases monthly and provides specialized services across the Western Cape.

9. University College Hospital – Nigeria

• Location: Ibadan

• Bed Capacity: 850+ beds

• Specialties: Surgery, medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics

• Significance: One of Nigeria’s premier teaching hospitals, providing specialized care for decades.

• Additional Info: Associated with the University of Ibadan, promoting research and medical training.

10. Alexandra Hospital – Egypt

• Location: Alexandria

• Bed Capacity: 700+ beds

• Specialties: Surgery, cardiology, neurology, pediatrics

• Significance: One of Egypt’s largest public hospitals, serving high patient volumes daily.

• Additional Info: Offers advanced medical services and supports training programs for healthcare workers.

Comparison Table: Largest Hospitals in Africa (2025)

FAQs: Biggest Hospitals in Africa

1. Which is the largest hospital in Africa?
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, South Africa, with over 3,400 beds.

2. Are these hospitals public or private?
Most of the largest hospitals are public teaching hospitals, though they may offer private wards.

3. Can foreigners access these hospitals?
Yes. Most large hospitals in Africa accept international patients, especially for specialized care.

4. Do these hospitals provide specialized treatment?
Yes. They offer cardiology, oncology, neurology, pediatrics, obstetrics, and trauma care.

5. Are these hospitals teaching hospitals?
Most of the listed hospitals are affiliated with universities and provide training for medical students.

6. How do I find a specialist in these hospitals?
Most hospitals have dedicated outpatient departments and appointment systems for specialist consultations.

7. Do these hospitals have emergency services?
Yes. All major hospitals have fully equipped emergency departments.

8. Can I get surgery at these hospitals?
Yes. Both elective and emergency surgeries are available.

9. How long are patient wait times?
Wait times vary by department; teaching hospitals often handle high volumes, so planning in advance is recommended.

10. Are these hospitals equipped with modern technology?
Yes. Most of these hospitals invest in advanced diagnostic and treatment technology.

Conclusion

Africa’s largest hospitals are vital for the continent’s healthcare system. They provide high-capacity, specialized care, teaching and research opportunities, and advanced medical technology. Whether you’re seeking emergency treatment, complex surgery, or academic collaboration, these top 10 hospitals in Africa in 2025 offer essential services for millions of patients.

Understanding which hospitals are the biggest helps South Africans, Africans, and international patients make informed decisions about where to seek quality care.

Invest in your health by identifying the right hospital that matches your medical needs, whether locally in South Africa or across Africa. These hospitals provide reliable, professional, and comprehensive medical care at scale.