News
On September 2–3, 2024, experts from different fields, with deep knowledge of emerging technologies for Africa’s dynamic contexts convened in Lilongwe, Malawi, marking a pivotal moment in the continent’s journey towards leveraging emerging technologies to improve healthcare on the continent. The AU High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies gathered for its second statutory meeting of 2024, hosted by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), through the Platform for Dialogue and Action on Health Technologies in Africa (Health Tech Platform).
The meeting was the latest in a series of advocacy efforts by AFIDEP and AUDA-NEPAD aimed at aligning emerging health technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Medical Things (IoMTs) and blockchain, with Africa’s health research and development (R&D) priorities. During the Malawi meeting, APET members reviewed and endorsed a monograph prepared by the two organisations that outlines different emerging technologies and opportunities to develop and deploy them towards improving health outcomes in Africa.
The meeting also included a progress report on the Health Tech Platform, detailing the ongoing advocacy activities to drive policy adoption and appropriate use of health technologies in Africa. It also featured updates and discussions on the draft Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2025-2034. This strategy provides a comprehensive framework for deploying cutting-edge technologies to address the continent’s most pressing challenges. The experts present at the meeting reiterated the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration to help foster a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system that is responsive to the needs of African populations.
The engagements in Lilongwe are part of an ongoing advocacy roadmap that AFIDEP and AUDA-NEPAD have developed to promote the use of African-led health technologies. This roadmap emphasises evidence-based policies and increased investment in health research to improve health outcomes across Africa. This gathering follows a meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 30 to August 1, 2024, where health technology experts reviewed a range of innovative technologies, and critical assessed the draft monograph.