Exploring Digital Health Innovations Across Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward

Authors

  • Micheal Abimbola Oladosu Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Moses Adondua Abah Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
  • Kosiso Patience Ebeledike Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Enugu, Nigeria
  • Uju Maryanne Onuorah Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
  • Sandra Chiamaka Okoye Department of Biological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, USA.
  • Kehinde Adebola Adebisi Department of Project Management, Faculty of Management Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria
  • Olaide Ayokunmi Oladosu Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan, Nigeria.
  • Angel Ojimaojo Ekele Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12856/JHIA-2025-v12-i2-612

Abstract

Objectives: To systematically review the current state, applications, barriers, and outcomes of digital health technologies across Africa, and to identify opportunities for enhancing healthcare delivery through digital innovation.

Design: Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar databases from 2014-2025. Search terms included "digital health," "mHealth," "telemedicine," "electronic health records," "artificial intelligence," and "Africa." Studies were included if they focused on digital health interventions, implementation, or outcomes in African countries.

Results: Sixty-eight studies from 32 African countries were analyzed. Mobile health (mHealth) represented 45% of interventions, telemedicine 28%, electronic health records 18%, and artificial intelligence 9%. Key applications included maternal and child health (34%), infectious disease management (29%), and chronic disease monitoring (21%). Major barriers included inadequate infrastructure (78% of studies), limited digital literacy (65%), and financial constraints (59%). Success factors included stakeholder engagement (82%), appropriate technology selection (76%), and integration with existing systems (71%).

Conclusions: Digital health technologies demonstrate significant potential for transforming healthcare delivery across Africa. However, successful implementation requires addressing infrastructure limitations, enhancing digital literacy, ensuring sustainable financing, and developing context-appropriate solutions. Strategic investments in enabling infrastructure and capacity building are essential for realizing the full potential of digital health in Africa.

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Author Biographies

  • Micheal Abimbola Oladosu, Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

    Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos,

    College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria

  • Moses Adondua Abah, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

    Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

  • Kosiso Patience Ebeledike, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Enugu, Nigeria

    Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Enugu, Nigeria

  • Uju Maryanne Onuorah, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

    Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

  • Sandra Chiamaka Okoye , Department of Biological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, USA.

    Department of Biological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, USA.

  • Kehinde Adebola Adebisi, Department of Project Management, Faculty of Management Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria

    Department of Project Management, Faculty of Management Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria

  • Olaide Ayokunmi Oladosu, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan, Nigeria.

    Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Babcock University,

    Ilishan, Nigeria.

  • Angel Ojimaojo Ekele , Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

    Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

     

     

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Published

2026-01-12

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

[1]
Oladosu, M.A. et al. 2026. Exploring Digital Health Innovations Across Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward. Journal of Health Informatics in Africa. 12, 2 (Jan. 2026), 47–68. DOI:https://doi.org/10.12856/JHIA-2025-v12-i2-612.