Events

African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is collaborating with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to build evidence for advocacy to advance policy reforms on the application of emerging technologies and improve healthcare delivery systems in Africa. The collaboration aims to foster evidence-informed policymaking and enhance investment in health research and innovations to address Africa’s critical health challenges and drive positive health outcomes across the continent.  

Key emerging technologies prioritised by the African Union (AU) as having potential to revolutionise healthcare in Africa include artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), blockchain, drones, genetically based vector control, and genomic medicine, among others. These emerging technologies, if well developed and deployed, can enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and operational efficiency in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, issues such as inadequate health governance structures and weak institutional capacity serve as barriers preventing the realisation of the full potential of these technologies.  

The Regional Dialogue on Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Improve Healthcare Delivery Systems in Africa, taking place in Lilongwe, Malawi on September 4–5, 2024, will convene key stakeholders across the continent to engage in critical conversations on accelerating Africa’s efforts to harness emerging technologies for healthcare system strengthening. The dialogue will examine economic, ethical and socio-cultural and regulatory considerations towards harnessing these emerging technologies to improve health on the continent. Representatives from government, private sector and other non-state actors will share their experiences on developing, piloting, or deploying emerging technologies. 

The regional dialogue, organised by AFIDEP and AUDA-NEPAD, will convene African Union High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) for a two-day meeting on September 2– 3, 2024. The Panel, which was initiated through an endorsement of the AU Summit of Heads of State and Government, comprises ten imminent experts which provide recommendations on harnessing existing and emerging technologies for Africa’s economic advancement. The outcomes of the APET meeting, and recommendations of the Panel, will feed into the regional dialogue.