Experts say technology is poised to transform medical delivery for Africa’s 1.5 billion people, as noted during the fourth Africa HealthTech Summit, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 13 to 15.
Convening over 2,500 experts, innovators, and policymakers, the summit explores innovative solutions to the continent’s pressing health challenges.
Held under the theme “Connected Care: Scaling Innovation Toward Universal Health Coverage,” the summit will explore how emerging technologies can be leveraged to build resilient health systems, enhance service delivery, and improve individual well-being across Africa.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Raji Tajudeen, the Deputy Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), highlighted the continent’s urgent need for digital health. With only five years remaining to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3, most African countries are off track due to limited infrastructure and weak health data systems.
“Data is the oxygen that sustains every health system. It informs policy, planning, and practice at all levels,” he said.
“Many countries lack legal frameworks to manage health data effectively, creating mistrust and hindering information sharing. To address this, Africa CDC has launched a Digital Health Transformation Agenda to build a connected, secure, and interoperable health ecosystem across member states.”
Tajudeen called for investment in Africa’s digital health infrastructure, the creation of a connected continental data ecosystem, and efforts to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence and innovation.
Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, framed the moment in historical perspective.
“When I reviewed the great moments in medical history, two discoveries stood out: vaccines in 1796 and antibiotics in 1928. The third, I believe, is what we are living through today: the application of artificial intelligence in medicine. This moment is just as historic,” he said during the summit’s opening.
Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized that AI and digital health technologies are not just futuristic tools; they are already improving clinical decision-making, enabling early disease detection, and enhancing patient outcomes.
He cited Rwanda’s Zipline blood delivery system, which has revolutionised emergency care, and the newly launched National Health Intelligence Centre, which provides real-time monitoring of health systems.
“Imagine a minister sitting in one room and seeing what’s happening across hospitals, a mother bleeding during childbirth, and being able to call for help instantly. That’s what health tech should do: detect quickly and prevent catastrophe,” he said.
The minister urged African nations to embrace technology proactively.
“We have two choices: slow down the speed of technology or run fast and catch up so we move together.”
