Africa's healthcare landscape is undergoing a profound shift driven by technology, innovation, and the growing demand for smarter, more connected health systems. On the second day of the Africa Health and Development Annual Research Symposium AHDARS2025, GSMA Africa launched its flagship report, Enabling Digital Health in Africa, which explores how digital health is reshaping traditional care models to deliver more efficient, personalised, and accessible healthcare across the continent.
The report highlights the powerful convergence between digital health technologies and advanced connectivity. Digital health, which integrates information and communications technologies ICT, computer science, and data analytics into healthcare, is transforming decision-making and care delivery. Experts note that advanced networks, including 4G and 5G, are essential for unlocking the full benefits of digital health solutions. Together, technology and connectivity create a synergistic ecosystem driving innovation across hospitals, clinics, and remote health facilities.
Key technologies underpinning this transformation include advanced connectivity, medical devices, telemedicine, logistics innovations, and AI-powered tools. 5G networks offer speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G and ultra-low latency, enabling applications like remote surgery and real-time monitoring. Wearable devices, Internet of Medical Things IoMT systems, and remote patient monitoring equipment deliver patient data directly to healthcare providers. Telemedicine platforms help overcome geographic barriers, while logistics solutions-such as drone delivery services and Logistics Management Information Systems LMIS-improve the distribution of essential medicines, vaccines, and blood to remote communities. AI-enabled tools also support community health workers with real-time guidance, improving primary care delivery.
