Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant promise for Africa’s health systems – it’s already here, shaping how care is delivered, from diagnostics to resource management. AI offers exciting possibilities to bridge gaps in access, equity and quality of care. But it also forces us to grapple with big questions around ownership, ethics and who ultimately benefits.
These issues were front and centre at a webinar hosted by the Africa Centre for Inclusive Health Management (Africa Centre) on 2 October 2025, where three experts shared their perspectives: Africa senior lecturer Dr Tafadzwa Dzinamarira, University of Johannesburg Associate Professor Elliot Mbunge, and public health and AI strategist Dr Valamar Malika Reagon.
The speakers said that AI-powered tools are already showing impact. Diagnostic technology is helping detect tuberculosis and cervical cancer earlier. Mobile apps are supporting maternal health and even offering vision screening in rural areas. Predictive analytics is allowing health systems to forecast outbreaks and allocate resources more efficiently. For under-resourced systems, these innovations can act as levellers – helping frontline workers, extending care into rural areas, and providing decision support in places where staff are scarce.
But as the speakers made clear, the way AI is designed and deployed matters just as much as what it can do. Dr Dzinamarira pointed to Africa’s “dual reality”: Health systems that remain underfunded alongside rapid digital growth. Without African ownership, AI could easily deepen inequalities instead of reducing them.
Prof Mbunge stressed the importance of ethical, responsible AI and gave a practical example from Zimbabwe. “We’ve seen a sudden increase in AI-enabled telemedicine,” he explained. “One company has even piloted the same system across borders in Botswana. That’s something we need to embrace in Africa – cross-border initiatives that improve access and inclusion while reducing existing inequalities.”
Dr Reagon was even more direct, warning against “tech colonisation” and insisting that Africa must take the lead in governance, data sovereignty, and innovation. “Africa is building its own sovereign benchmark,” she said. “It must not just adopt AI. It must define it – and the world will follow.”
What emerged was a clear call: Africa needs to shape its own AI future. That means building regional data centres, training models on African datasets, and nurturing homegrown startups and research. It also means facing the risks head-on – from biased algorithms to inequitable access – with accountability frameworks that involve policymakers, developers, communities, and even students. Respect for local languages, cultures, and consent isn’t optional; it’s what will build trust and ensure fair outcomes.
AI in Africa’s health systems is already part of the landscape. The opportunity now is to make it inclusive and equitable. That will require:
- Strategic, cross-sector partnerships between governments, NGOs, startups, and academia
- Transparent processes to monitor and mitigate bias
- Africa-led publications and benchmarks that set global standards
- Investment in local infrastructure to protect sovereignty and strengthen innovation
As Dr Reagon reminded in closing: AI will reshape health whether we like it or not. The real question is whether Africa allows others to define that transformation or whether it leads with its own values, vision, and innovation.