Digital health technologies are revolutionising healthcare systems across Africa. Reports indicate that African health systems could realize up to 15 percent efficiency gains by 2030, through the expanded use of digital health tools.
Digital health technologies have taken various forms on the continent- from virtual self-care health coaching to people living with or at risk for chronic health needs in Nigeria, a digital marketplace that connects pharmacies and medical suppliers in Egypt, a proposed solution by a health startup in Kenya to develop a solution for digital borrowing for medical expenses, among many others.
The skyrocketing mobile penetration in various African countries also puts the continent at a vantage point for innovation and growth in digital health, particularly through mobile technologies. It is projected that by 2025, mobile phone subscriptions in Sub Saharan Africa will account for approximately 50% of the population. In countries such as Kenya for instance, mobile penetration already surpasses the country’s population by approximately 12%, while in Nigeria, connectivity to mobile services, including mobile money, is said to be the foundation upon which digitalization is built.
While there has been progress on digital health in Africa, substantial barriers remain. These include inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks to govern digital health. Given the complex and evolving changes in the digital space, legal and regulatory frameworks should be developed through consultative processes that involve all key stakeholders. The Kenyan Digital Health Act which is a law that provides a framework for the provision of digital health services was for instance suspended in July 2024, by the High Court, for lack of proper public participation.
Another issue for consideration is the status of the infrastructure required to support the digital health agenda. This includes factors such as lack of reliable electricity and affordable high-speed internet connectivity, particularly in rural areas. According to 2022 statistics as published by the World Bank, while access to electricity in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Eswatini, Gabon and Botswana was over 75% of the population, other countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Niger and Chad had connectivity levels of less than 20% of the population. In order to fully benefit from digital technologies in healthcare, African Governments will need to invest in infrastructure required to support digital health.
The health sector is one of the largest users of personal data and issues to do with data protection will therefore need to be carefully navigated in this digital era. African countries are progressively strengthening their data protection legal and regulatory frameworks, with over 60% of African countries reported to have data protection laws as at 2023. There have also been efforts towards a harmonised cybersecurity and data protection approach in Africa through the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (“Malabo Convention”). Only 15 African countries had however ratified the Malabo Convention by 2023.
Lastly, in order to fully benefit from the digital health technologies and improve health outcomes, it will be essential to carry out an assessment of in-country digital health capacities, and where necessary, enhance the human, institutional, and technological elements necessary for the efficient management and utilization of digital technologies and data systems that support national health objectives
