Africa Youth in Digital Health Ministerial Breakfast (By Invitation)

09:00 – 10:30
Main Stage

Advancing Community Health: Exploring Investment Opportunities in African HealthTech

Healthcare startups in Africa have grown rapidly, fueled by mobile health, AI, and new diagnostics. Key markets include Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Despite fast technological progress, investment, infrastructure, and regulatory environments lag. This session explores HealthTech investment opportunities with insights from the HealthTech Hub Africa cohort and broader ecosystem.

Speakers:

09:00 – 10:00
Parallel Stage 1

From Innovation to Impact: Launching i3’s Next Phase to Support Healthtech Innovators Reaching Millions in Africa

This session will introduce the Investing in Innovation (i3) program, focusing on the impact and lessons learned from its first phase, and officially launch i3’s second phase. It will emphasize the critical role of investing in local innovations and discuss i3’s strategy for scaling healthtech solutions to enhance availability, accessibility, affordability, quality, and visibility. It will feature successful case studies, detail the support available to innovators, and explore the broader impact of these investments on the African health landscape.

Speakers:

09:00 – 10:00
Parallel Stage 2

Connecting Africa’s Responsible AI in Health Ecosystem

While AI holds immense potential to improve health, its benefits rely on creating ecosystems that support safe, effective solutions. If mishandled, AI can jeopardize patient safety and privacy. This session will explore how African countries can establish Responsible AI in health ecosystems, promoting investments, innovation, and trust through effective regulations.

Speakers:

10:15 – 11:15
Parallel Stage 1

Improving Health Financing & Equity Leveraging Responsible Digital Payments – A Call to Action

Despite technological advancements aimed at reducing healthcare costs, over half a billion people fell into extreme poverty due to COVID-19 expenses. In Africa, about 97 million face catastrophic healthcare costs annually, with 15 million pushed into poverty. This session will address the disproportionate health impacts on women and the need for improved access, funding, and workforce solutions.

Speakers:

11:00 – 12:30
Main Stage

AI-Driven Health Systems: Transforming Disease Surveillance and Clinical Decision Support in Africa’s Primary Healthcare

Speakers:

11:00 – 12:30
Ministerial Programme

AI and Diagnostics

11:30 – 12:30
Parallel Stage 1

Supply Chain strengthening: Building Medical Supply Chains of the Future: Partnerships, Technologies & Business Models (TRVST initiative)

This session will explore the future of medical supply chains, emphasizing digitalization and interoperability as essential for improving efficiency and resilience in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It will address challenges of fragmented systems and discuss the need for integrated information systems that transform data into actionable insights for decision-making.

Harnessing Client-centered Technologies for Preventative Health and Management of Chronic Conditions

This session will explore the critical role that technology plays in empowering individuals to prevent, detect, and manage chronic conditions and adopt healthier lifestyles. Client-centred solutions can drive a shift from reactive to proactive and preventative healthcare models, driving down healthcare costs and overcoming health system challenges like health worker shortages.

Speakers:

12:10 – 13:10
Parallel Stage 1

Nurturing AI Innovation in Health: Building a Supportive Ecosystem for African Entrepreneurs

This session explores the challenges and opportunities in fostering a thriving environment for HealthAI entrepreneurs across Africa. Experts will discuss key factors such as funding, regulatory frameworks, data access, and talent development. Attendees will gain insights into successful models and practical strategies for overcoming barriers to innovation in the African HealthAI sectors.

14:00 – 15:30
Main Stage

Digital One Health: Overcoming Data Silos for AI and Better Diseases Prevention

In this panel session supported by GIZ’s One Health Data Alliance Africa Project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), we will explore how digital technologies, data and AI can support decision-makers in Africa to keep their populations healthy and to prevent disease outbreaks. The panel discussion brings together policymakers, health and tech experts, data scientists, veterinarians, and public health officials from Africa and beyond.

Speakers:

Private Sector Forum Opening
Innovating for Impact: Advancing Digital Health in Africa through Private Sector Collaboration

14:00 – 15:00
Parallel Stage 1

Transforming Healthcare: Digital Solutions for Maximizing Medical Equipment in Africa

The “Digitalization of Medical Equipment” session will tackle the issue of underutilized medical equipment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It will emphasize the necessity for a comprehensive digital strategy to manage assets, addressing the 40% non-functionality rate and its implications for healthcare services.

Speakers:

14: 00 – 15:00
Parallel Stage 2

15: 15 – 16:15
Parallel Stage 1

Enhancing Health Security: Mastering OSINT and Cybersecurity Hygiene

The session will provide foundational knowledge on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques for responsibly gathering publicly available information while emphasizing cybersecurity hygiene. Participants will learn about data collection methods, essential security practices, common cyber threats, and how to maintain a secure online presence during OSINT research, ensuring privacy and protection.

15: 15 – 16:15
Parallel Stage 2

The Role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Revolutionizing African Healthcare

This session aims to identify the pressing challenges hindering the advancement of DPI in digital health, and explores strategies, and actionable steps to increase the adoption, implementation, access and scale-up of these technologies in Africa.

15:45 – 17:00
Main Stage

African Women In Digital Health Network (AWiDH)

Advancing Digital Health Equity in Africa: The Role of Gender and Innovation

This AWiDH session will highlight the significant strides made by the initiative in empowering African women to lead in the digital health space, showcasing tangible outcomes and the impact of our initiatives. The session will also explore how strategic policy interventions and partnerships are paving the way for a more inclusive digital health landscape.

Speakers

16:30 – 17:30
Parallel Stage 1