Stakeholders discuss digital health strategies at the Insights Learning Forum 2025 in Abuja.
Experts have identified digital health networks as Africa’s greatest opportunity to transform public health, but warned that without smart local investments and leadership, the continent risks losing ground in global health innovation.
Speaking at the Insights Learning Forum 2025 in Abuja, health leaders stressed that the future of healthcare is digital and Africa must act now to integrate technology into its health systems.
Dr. Mories Atoki, CEO of the African Business Coalition for Health, described digital solutions as a “non-negotiable tool” for addressing Africa’s health crisis:
“Digital health is not a luxury it’s an advantage of our time. If we fail to leverage it, we will be doing a disservice to our continent and our people.”
She highlighted Africa’s urgent challenges: weak infrastructure, limited access, and a workforce crisis, noting that the continent bears 25% of the global disease burden but has only 3% of the world’s healthcare workforce.
Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programs at eHealth Africa, stressed that transformation in healthcare begins with local ownership rather than reliance on external donors.
“Transformation does not begin with flashy tools or external funding. It begins with local commitment, with communities choosing to own their health future and backing that choice with investment,” Akhigbe said.
She explained that while technology is driving positive change, sustainability depends on state governments, private companies, and individuals investing in health systems, rather than focusing solely on donor-driven projects.
“External funding has done so much, but we need to make sure these innovations last. Local investment goes beyond money, it’s about leadership, accountability, and creating ideas locally that we can even export,” she added.
Speaking further Ota emphasised the need for state governments to prioritise health in their budgets and for private companies to invest in health infrastructure instead of billboards.
She also revealed that Kano State has been a strong partner, adopting eHealth tools such as Planfeld and Lomis, which government officials are now advocating because “they work.”
Executive Director of eHealth Africa, Atef Fawaz, emphasised the power of technology to save lives:
“Digital systems are not just tools; they are lifelines that connect people and data for lasting change.”
The forum urged governments, innovators, and private sector players to prioritize interoperability, local innovations, and community-driven solutions while moving beyond short-term donor funding.
Dr. Francis Ohanyido, President Emeritus of the Academy of Public Health, cautioned against “digital poverty” and called for domestic resource mobilization:
“Africa carries 25 percent of the global disease burden. Domestic resource mobilization is critical for health sovereignty. Without it, we cannot achieve universal health coverage,” he said.
With over 650 million Africans lacking access to basic healthcare, stakeholders said investing in digital infrastructure, training, and real-time data systems will be key to achieving universal health coverage.
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