It is my pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of ABCHealth’s News Update especially as we wind down the first half of 2025 which, despite turmoil in the global economy, is turning out to be quite an interesting time for us in Africa. The freeze on aid following the exit of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has forced governments across Africa to pivot from depending on foreign aid to exploring capacities existing within their shores and while many remain skeptical of governments’ ability to weather the storm, stakeholders are optimistic, viewing the situation as an opportunity to reframe the conversation around health financing across the continent on the one hand and improving health systems on the other. Africa’s healthcare systems have historically faced numerous challenges, including limited infrastructure, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and difficulty accessing remote populations. However, the rapid growth of digital technology is transforming the continent’s healthcare landscape. Mobile health apps, telemedicine, electronic medical records, and artificial intelligence (AI) are not only bridging gaps but also driving unprecedented healthcare innovation across Africa and critical stakeholders, including governments, regulators, healthcare providers and users are paying attention.
Importantly, investors are showing growing appetite in Africa’s ehealth market which is valued at USD11b as healthtech startups across the continent continue to thrive, attracting $550 million in funding over the past three years, even as overall tech investments in Africa dropped by 39%. According to TechInAfrica, this growth is fueled by online pharmacies, telemedicine, and AIdriven diagnostics, with women-led startups securing 31% of funding last year.
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