In Africa, digital health has become an increasingly vital component of the continent’s healthcare landscape. The 2025 edition of the Insights Learning Forum (ILF) is set to take place, bringing together experts, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the role of digital technology in strengthening healthcare systems across the continent.
The Importance of Local Investment
Local investment is critical to unlocking the potential of digital health in Africa. According to Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programs at eHealth Africa, the promise of digital health will not be realized without deeper investment in tools, systems, and people.
- Policy ownership and institutional strengthening
- Talent development and public trust
- Infrastructure and digital literacy
- Cultural nuance and frontline worker capacity
These are the key areas that require local investment to ensure that digital health solutions are successful and sustainable in the long term.
The Challenges Facing Digital Health in Africa
Despite the growing momentum around digital health in Africa, the continent still faces several challenges. According to Ota Akhigbe, digital health solutions often fail to account for the real-world conditions in Africa. “Too often, these tools are slick in presentation but clunky in practice,” she said. “They fail to account for limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, cultural nuance, and the overstretched capacity of frontline workers. Even the most elegant platform can become irrelevant or unusable under these conditions.”
Case Study: Digital Health Solutions in Africa
A notable example of this is the lack of adaptation of digital health solutions to the specific needs of Africa. Many tools are imported from Europe or North America without consideration for the cultural, social, and economic context of Africa.
| Country | Digital Health Solution | Success Rate |
| Kenya | Telemedicine platform | 20% |
| Ghana | MHealth platform | 30% |
| Tanzania | Telehealth platform | 15% |
These examples illustrate the challenges facing digital health in Africa, and the need for local investment to overcome them.
The Power of Local Investment
When countries and communities have a stake in the systems being built, they are more likely to shape them in ways that are relevant, inclusive, and enduring. This is why local investment is critical to unlocking the potential of digital health in Africa. “Local investment means funding, yes, but also something deeper: policy ownership, institutional strengthening, talent development, and public trust,” said Ota Akhigbe.
Benefits of Local Investment
- Relevant and inclusive solutions
- Enduring systems
- Public trust and ownership
These benefits are crucial to the success of digital health initiatives in Africa.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2025 Insights Learning Forum will provide a dynamic platform for professionals in digital and public health to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore innovative applications of digital health for impactful public health implementation. The theme of the forum, “Local Investments for Connected Communities: The Power of Digital Health Networks in Public Health Transformation,” highlights the critical role of local investment in unlocking the potential of digital health in Africa. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and innovators, the forum will provide a unique opportunity for professionals to learn from each other and share their experiences. The event will take place on March 12-13, 2025, at the Bonavista Hotel in Accra, Ghana. The registration process for the forum is now open, and interested professionals are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. Registration details:
- Registration deadline: February 15, 2025
- Registration fee: $500
For more information about the 2025 Insights Learning Forum, please visit our website or contact us directly.
“Digital health in Africa requires a nuanced approach that takes into account the unique challenges and opportunities of the continent.
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