Africa seeks to scale digital health solutions at ADHS 2026

Africa’s healthcare sector is facing a familiar challenge: while digital innovations continue to emerge across the continent, few have successfully transitioned from pilot projects into nationally integrated health systems.

The issue took centre stage at the sixth Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS) in Abuja, where policymakers, health experts, technology companies and development partners examined how Africa can move promising digital health solutions beyond donor-funded experiments and into routine healthcare delivery.

The debate comes as African health systems face mounting pressure from climate-related health threats, disease outbreaks, workforce shortages and constrained public funding. Despite significant investments in digital health over the past decade, experts say many solutions fail to achieve long-term sustainability once pilot funding ends.

Stakeholders at the summit argued that the continent’s next healthcare breakthrough may not come from developing new technologies but from successfully integrating existing innovations into government-owned systems.

Among the solutions presented was a climate-health vulnerability assessment platform developed by eHealth Africa, designed to help primary healthcare facilities identify and prepare for climate-related health risks. The organisation also demonstrated a digital decision-support tool aimed at improving the management of neglected tropical diseases by frontline health workers.

While the technologies drew attention, discussions throughout the summit focused on a broader question: how Africa can build digital health systems that remain operational long after donor support and project funding have expired.

“Our focus must move beyond implementing projects to strengthening systems,” said Ota Akhigbe, director of partnerships and programmes at eHealth Africa.

According to participants, sustainable digital health adoption will require stronger government ownership, improved interoperability, domestic financing and greater collaboration between technology developers, healthcare providers and policymakers.

The challenge is becoming increasingly urgent as climate change alters disease patterns across the continent and healthcare systems face growing demand for efficient, data-driven responses.

Experts at the summit noted that digital tools have the potential to improve disease surveillance, strengthen healthcare planning and support frontline workers. However, they warned that technology alone will not solve Africa’s healthcare challenges without long-term investment and integration into existing public health structures.