eHealth Africa, alongside key stakeholders from government, non-governmental organisations, innovators, donors, and community representatives, has issued a bold call for increased local investment to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of digital health solutions in Africa.
This critical call was made at the just-concluded Insights Learning Forum (ILF) 2025 held in Abuja, under the theme, “Local Investments for Connected Communities: The Power of Digital Health Networks in Public Health Transformation.” From visionary keynotes to bold panel discussions and breakthrough innovations, the Forum reinforced one truth: transforming health systems requires collective action, strong local leadership, and sustained commitment from all of us.
Throughout the event, cross-sector leaders emphasised that sustainable impact in digital health will only be achieved when local investment drives innovation and communities are empowered to shape the digital tools that serve them.
Speaking on the origin of the Insights Learning Forum yesterday, eHealth Africa’s executive director, Atef Fawaz, explained that the event began as a monthly webinar series and has since evolved into a flagship annual forum, thanks to key stakeholders’ strong commitment and collaboration. “It started as a simple webinar. But year by year, we’ve seen growth in both interest and commitment from partners and government,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration, saying, “We believe in partnerships with the government to get things done. They have the vision; we as implementers have the mandate. This is not a client relationship, it’s a collaboration.”
“There are countless problems in the health sector waiting for smart solutions. We encourage young innovators to bring their ideas forward,” he added.
Explaining the urgency of this year’s theme, Ota Akhigbe, director of partnerships and programmes at eHealth Africa, stated: “Transformation does not begin with flashy tools or external funding. Transformation begins with local commitment—communities choosing to own their health future and backing that choice with investment.”
She added, “Why this theme, and why now? Because digital health is no longer a theory, it’s happening now. We have platforms tracking vaccine delivery, flagging outbreaks, linking clinics to specialists, and delivering test results. The time has come to ensure these systems last.”
Ota further emphasised, “When we say investment, we’re not only talking about money. While funding matters, so do leadership, trust, and long-term commitment.” She urged governments at all levels to integrate digital health into annual plans and budgets.
Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, national coordinator for the Sector Wide Approach, highlighted the timeliness of ILF 2025. “This forum convenes the right mix of stakeholders, government, private sector, development partners, and innovators to co-create solutions that strengthen health systems through digital innovation,” he said.
“The government has advanced significantly in developing a digital health architecture and passing national standards. Now, we must build consensus to defragment siloed digital health initiatives so we can scale what works.”
Dr Muntaqa underscored the urgency saying, “By prioritizing data integration, surveillance, and scale, we are advancing a country-owned, locally-led digital health system, one that can deliver on our national goal: dramatically reducing maternal and newborn mortality.”
The forum featured panel discussions on investing in health and local communities, spotlighting actionable recommendations for building a thriving digital health ecosystem through local investment and partnership.
Sessions also addressed strategies for mobilizing domestic resources, strengthening public-private collaboration, and reinforcing regulatory frameworks. Panellists shared case studies and offered insights for policymakers, investors, and innovators working to build sustainable, locally driven digital health systems.
Notably, ILF 2025 created space for critical dialogue around Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for girls and women in Nigeria. A compelling session unpacked how digital tools and innovative financing can expand access to SRHR services and protect the rights of vulnerable populations.
The ILF 2025 closed with a shared understanding: Africa’s digital health future will only be sustained when local resources, voices, and leadership are at the centre of the solution.
