From the newsletter
Kenyan digital health firm MyDawa has secured a new round of investment from five global healthcare giants to enhance its AI-driven infrastructure and accelerate its expansion across East Africa. Founded in 2017, the platform combines online consultations, lab testing, e-prescriptions, chronic care, and last-mile delivery into a single, seamless service.
The company posits that AI can strengthen African public health systems by providing enhanced analyses of diverse data streams to predict disease outbreaks and model the effects of climate change.
Africa experiences over 160 disease outbreaks annually. The application of AI may well improve the speed, scale, and accuracy of outbreak detection, offering real-time information for timely responses.
More details
The five investors are the Investment Fund for Developing Countries, Asia Africa Investment and Consulting, Alta Sempe, Creadev, and Ohara Pharmaceutical Co. MyDawa plans to utilise the new capital to strengthen its hybrid “bricks-and-clicks” model, expand its chronic disease support programmes, and implement artificial intelligence to improve supply chain efficiency.
The company, which served over 1.8 million people in 2024, recently acquired Uganda’s Rocket Health and previously integrated Guardian Health. It has enrolled more than 5,000 chronic care patients and is currently active in Kenya and Uganda. Supported by major donors like the Gates Foundation and partnerships with firms such as Novo Nordisk, MyDawa has achieved over 30% year-on-year revenue growth.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance health systems in Africa through real-time outbreak detection and disease characterisation. The Africa CDC, via the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative, is improving outbreak surveillance by leveraging AI to rapidly process epidemiological and genomic data. This enables early identification of pathogens, tracking of genetic mutations, and informs vaccine and diagnostic development. With over 160 outbreaks reported annually, AI provides the scale, speed, and precision needed for national disease surveillance systems.
AI also facilitates predictive analytics by integrating environmental, diagnostic, and genomic data to model disease trends and climate-related health impacts. Public health institutions can use AI to identify emerging hotspots, monitor seasonal disease patterns, and implement preventive measures. Additionally, AI contributes to health workforce development by automating contact tracing, identifying skill gaps, and powering adaptive learning platforms.
Despite its potential, AI adoption in African public health faces criticalchallenges: poor infrastructure, unreliable power, limited internet access, outdated hardware, and a shortage of skilled professionals. Without investment in digital infrastructure, workforce training, and supportive policies, AI risks deepening inequalities. Ethical use and multisectoral coordination are essential to ensure AI enhances, rather than hinders, health equity across the continent.
Our take
AI holds immense potential to improve healthcare and daily life in Africa. However, it is essential to tailor AI solutions to Africa's unique needs, ensuring equitable access and sustainable development.
Ultimately, AI will contribute to creating a healthier, more efficient future for Africa. Collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, and technology innovators will be key to unlocking AI's full potential and fostering a more inclusive digital transformation.