Tilahun Tadesse, in charge of the federal public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, is preparing to expand the investment scheme to the health sector. Two weeks ago, he called for an expression of interest from prospective investors to develop an integrated diagnostic centre, providing laboratory, pathology, and imaging services.

Tilahun’s directorate began its search for investors in the health sector after officials at the Ministry of Health (MoH) submitted a study highlighting the need to establish a comprehensive diagnostic centre that can provide all laboratory services in one place.

“The investment requirement for the centre is considerable,” Tilahun told Fortune. “We’re expanding the scheme to the health sector.”

Tilahun had served at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in various capacities, including as director of bilateral relations, before he was appointed to head the federal PPP directorate three years ago. The office functions under the Ministry, accountable to a board chaired by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide. Comprising 11 members, the Board is mandated to approve projects, including feasibility studies and major amendments to project agreements, as well as approving bids and negotiation outcomes. Yinager Dessie (PhD), governor of the central bank; Fitsum Assefa (PhD), minister of Planning & Development; and Dagmawit Moges, minister of Transport & Logistics, are among the board members.

The Board’s venture into health comes four years after a law that governs public-private partnerships – the first of its kind – was legislated by Parliament. The public-private scheme came onto the scene following a two-year feasibility study conducted with financing from the government, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID).

Along with the study submitted by the Health Ministry, the board has looked into two proposals put forward by officials in the transport and housing sectors. However, Minister Ahmed and board members nodded to the proposal pitched by Lia Tadesse (MD), minister of Health. People familiar with the matter estimate the diagnostic centre could cost up to 50 million dollars.

Officials hope the public-private scheme can fill a wide investment gap in the health sector, which the government and private investors have thus far failed to bridge. A few international investors had initially shown interest in the centre. Tilahun’s next move will be issuing a request for prequalifications, which will determine whether the investors have the capacity to pull the project past the finish line. Finalists will participate in a bid, and the board will evaluate their offers.

“We’ll move forward even if only one suitable investor shows up,” Tilahun told Fortune.

Once a contract is signed, the Health Ministry will facilitate a plot for the centre’s construction inside the premises of one of the six public hospitals operating under its oversight in Addis Abeba. Places under consideration include Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialised Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College.

The Board’s officials are considering allowing private developers to take over the management of the centre for 10 years, after which they hand over ownership to the federal government. The Health Ministry’s study show and Tilahun vow that investors can recoup their investment and make a profit in a decade.

“But there’s still a possibility of extending the period further,” he said.

Daniel Melese, director of lab capacity building at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, observes patients are required to visit two or more health institutions to obtain comprehensive testing.