Africa Poised for Health Tech Revolution, Experts Say

As the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s largest mobile and technology gathering, prepares to kick off next week in Barcelona, a prominent African digital health leader is predicting a seismic shift in the continent’s tech landscape.

Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Chief Digital Advisor at Africa CDC, believes the next decade will be defined by a health tech revolution, moving beyond the fintech dominance that has characterized the past decade.

 “Over the last decade, Africa’s telecom sector has been dominated by the fintech sector, producing six out of seven unicorns that the continent has. The next decade, I believe, is the health tech decade. And here is why,” Nsengimana stated.

His optimism is rooted in the continent’s pressing healthcare needs. With 50% of Africans still lacking access to adequate and quality healthcare, the potential for digital solutions is immense.

Nsengimana highlighted the transformative potential of digital technologies, citing evidence that vaccine immunization registries have raised vaccine coverage by 35% and that better digital antenatal tracking could prevent 25% of maternal mortality.

 Furthermore, he projected significant economic gains through digital transformation in healthcare.

 “Overall, the health sector could save up to $25 billion annually through better connectivity and digital transformation,” he explained.

Nsengimana emphasized the critical need for collaboration between different sectors and government bodies.

“This is why the health sector and the telecom sector and the tech sector need to work more closely together. This is why ministries of health and ministries of technology need to coordinate more effectively. The National Public Health Institute and the National Digital Economy Agencies need to work together much more collaboratively.” With the stage set at MWC, Nsengimana’s message is clear: it’s time to usher in the health tech revolution and harness the power of technology to address Africa’s most pressing healthcare challenges. The continent is ready to move “past the fintech domination to health tech revolution.”