Africa CDC unveils HealthTech platform

As digital tools for effective healthcare delivery gain traction across Africa, the Africa CDC has launched a new platform tailored to address technology needs in areas like accessibility, cost, and infrastructure for member states

This digital exchange platform, known as “The Africa HealthTech Marketplace,” highlights relevant and accessible digital health solutions. It was officially launched on October 29 in Kigali, Rwanda, alongside the Africa Health-Tech Summit 2024. The initiative is a partnership between the Africa CDC and the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL).

Africa faces a pressing healthcare crisis. With 600 million people lacking access to basic medical services, the consequences are profound: public health suffers, economies stall, and social inequalities deepen. This widespread crisis necessitates urgent solutions. Among the contributing issues are limited healthcare facilities, a shortage of trained professionals, and extensive rural regions lacking health services. In many African countries, there are fewer than two healthcare workers per 1,000 people—well below global benchmarks. As a result, millions find it challenging to reach doctors, nurses, or clinics.

"The Africa HealthTech Marketplace is a game-changer for healthcare in Africa. By offering a platform that showcases local, scalable solutions, we are empowering healthcare providers across the continent to access the tools they need to improve health outcomes," said Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC director general, during his keynote speech at the launch.

Empowering digital healthcare

The platform is designed for government technologists, policymakers, and health professionals, enabling them to explore, assess, and deploy tailored solutions within their communities. It facilitates digital transformation by providing an organized catalogue of online tools, products, and resources from reliable sources. These resources are intended to support governments, development organizations, and policymakers in advancing health outcomes.

"Showcasing a variety of locally designed, scalable digital health solutions, we created the Marketplace to make it easier for governments, health providers, and development organizations to implement the right solutions for their communities,” said Dr Jean Philbert Nsengimana, chief digital advisor at Africa CDC.

Through its 2023 Digital Transformation Strategy, Africa CDC has developed an adaptable, agile platform suited for all African health stakeholders, designed to accommodate unique digital transformation pathways.

“With the online marketplace, access to technology is easier and more reliable, helping community innovators and changemakers deliver the services needed for healthy living. We hope this becomes a vibrant community sharing insights into digital tools and their applications,” said Diana Sang, Africa director at Digital Impact Alliance.

“Our vision is to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation,” Sang added. “The Africa HealthTech Marketplace will enhance visibility for African innovators, ensuring healthcare providers can readily find and integrate trusted digital health solutions.”

DIAL serves as a link between governments and changemakers, simplifying complex information into practical insights for impactful digital progress in development. Their mission is to equip decision-makers with essential tools to drive meaningful digital evolution.

The HealthTech Marketplace curates trusted digital health solutions, especially innovations from African startups, to boost visibility and support informed procurement decisions. By fostering a user community on the platform, the marketplace provides a space for users to share feedback, ask questions, and suggest improvements to digital solutions.

"We want to build partnerships with stakeholders who are invested in the African health ecosystem so this work can continue to grow and expand across the continent. This marketplace can be a key piece of the African digital health ecosystem," said Dr Nsengimana, chief digital advisor at Africa CDC. "I’m confident the Marketplace can drive meaningful development and collaboration across the African HealthTech Sector," Nsengimana added, “This much-needed platform gives local innovators greater visibility for their significant work, and critically, it addresses a gap for the 600 million-plus people across Africa who lack access to basic medical care.”