From 13 to 15 October 2025, Kigali became the epicenter of Africa’s digital transformation as Rwanda hosted the 4th Africa HealthTech Summit (AHTS 2025). Organized by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the summit convened over 1,200 delegates including government ministers, policymakers, tech entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers. Themed “Connected Care: Scaling Innovation Towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” the gathering underscored Africa’s growing determination to integrate technology into public health and achieve equitable healthcare access across the continent.
In the days leading up to the event, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health described the summit on X (formerly Twitter) as “a premier platform bringing together ministers of health, innovators, and partners to accelerate digital transformation in healthcare.” The Ministry of ICT and Innovation echoed this message, noting that “digital solutions are not the future of health — they are the present,” reinforcing Rwanda’s belief that technology-driven care can improve efficiency and inclusivity within national health systems.
Opening the summit, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, highlighted the need for agile governance in the face of rapid technological change. He emphasized that “policies must evolve as fast as technology” and that “our focus is not only innovation but adoption — ensuring that every citizen benefits from digital health tools that save lives.” During the conference, Rwanda introduced two new national platforms — E-Ubuzima, a digital health record system connecting community health workers to hospitals, and E-Banguka, a real-time emergency response and referral system. These innovations, Dr. Nsanzimana explained, are designed to improve patient continuity of care and make the country’s healthcare system more responsive and data-driven.
The summit also showcased regional collaboration through the Africa HealthTech Marketplace, a digital platform developed by Africa CDC to promote scalable and proven health technologies across the continent. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, described the marketplace as “a game-changer that empowers countries to access tested, scalable, and affordable digital tools that improve healthcare delivery.” His remarks reflected a broader theme of continental solidarity, as participants emphasized interoperability, shared data infrastructure, and coordinated policy frameworks as keys to Africa’s health future.
Several speakers used the event to spotlight the need for stronger investment and regulation in digital health. Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Head of Public Health Institutes and Research at Africa CDC, observed that “data and technology are critical to improving healthcare delivery, but without sustained investment and capacity-building, progress will stall.” Financing discussions explored public–private partnerships (PPPs) as a pathway to sustainable funding, while regulatory panels highlighted the importance of harmonized data governance and AI ethics frameworks to ensure privacy and accountability.
In his closing address, Ozonnia Ojielo, the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Rwanda, urged delegates to act on the summit’s commitments. “Let us move beyond dialogue and build partnerships that deliver measurable impact,” he said, praising Rwanda for setting “a continental benchmark in digital health leadership.” His remarks echoed the event’s central message — that the future of healthcare in Africa will depend on the ability to align innovation, policy, and financing to create people-centered systems that leave no one behind.
