Artificial Intelligence in Sub-Saharan Africa – Healthcare Report

Africa faces numerous healthcare challenges, from 0.2 physicians for every 1,000 citizens in Sub-Saharan Africa (the global average is 3 to 1,000), to disparities in access to essential health services. Fortunately, affordable computing devices and advanced AI models are bringing potential solutions, even to remote regions.

To support this evolution, Africa’s public and private leaders must make strategic investments to enhance access, optimise resource allocation, and improve patient outcomes.

Yet integrating AI into Africa’s healthcare involves a complex network of stakeholders and an evolving regulatory environment. This healthcare value chain raises critical questions such as “Can AI address major system bottlenecks?” and “To what extent can it help AI’s further utilisation if only partial solutions are offered?”

This report explores AI’s integration and impact in Africa’s healthcare sector, based on interviews with governments, NGOs, corporations, and startups. It provides a comprehensive view of how different players are adopting AI, the challenges they face, how they’re mitigating risks of patient data misuse, and AI’s potential to redefine healthcare delivery on the continent.