Experts Drive Conversation on Partnerships, Technology and the Future of Healthcare in Africa

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Healthcare professionals, industry leaders, policymakers, and tech innovators gathered at the maiden edition of AHEAD (Advancing Healthcare Equity and Access through Digitization) Africa HealthTech conference in Lagos to chart a new direction for Africa’s healthcare ecosystem as technology evolves across the global economy.

The AHEAD Africa HealthTech conference, with the theme “Partnerships, Technology and the Future of Healthcare in Africa”, was put together by DrugStoc, a digital platform that helps hospitals, clinics and pharmacies access genuine, high quality medicines and medical supplies.

The event aimed at discussing policy, reforms and innovative ways to collaborate and drive transformational growth in the healthcare sector in Africa. In his opening remark, Dr. Chibuzo Opara, the CEO and Co-founder of DrugStoc, noted that the healthcare system in Africa works best when people in government, private sector, the insurance industry and tech work together.

He emphasized two critical pillars for the sector’s evolution: a “Digital First” approach and the necessity of “Self Care”. He spoke extensively on how stakeholders can leverage technology to transform health systems, highlighting that the industry must prioritize patient-centered self-care to drive meaningful progress.

As the keynote speaker, Dr. Uchenna Elemuwa, Director of Pharmacovigilance at NAFDAC, gave a compelling presentation on the future of healthcare systems in Nigeria. She noted that Sub-Saharan Africa is on the brink of a healthcare transformation driven by systemic reinvention, but warned that this future relies heavily on drug safety.

Dr. Elemuwa focused on the crucial aspect of pharmacovigilance, addressing the challenges of high prices for medical services and the influx of unsafe medications. She reiterated the need to be proactive regarding the safety of the supply chain. “We need to fight counterfeit and substandard products in the market.” She said.

She further noted the profound shift in digital health adoption, with pharmacies evolving into primary forms of care. The conference featured robust panel sessions where speakers deliberated on navigating digital pathways for pharma growth in Africa, financing a more resilient pharma industry and building partnerships for resilient healthcare.

During these sessions, experts explored how to utilize technology, finance, and regulatory frameworks to transform pharmaceutical access and delivery systems, ensuring growth and efficiency across the sector.

The conference also had engaging fireside chats which focused on strengthening managed care through public-private collaboration and human capital alignment, turning receivables into growth capital and how healthcare businesses can prepare for investor-readiness. In these sessions, thought-leaders discussed strategies to bridge the gap between policy, capital and practice.

Another highlight of this year’s AHEAD Africa Healthtech Conference was the AHEAD HealthTech Hackathon, a competitive innovation sprint designed to accelerate practical digital health solutions for Africa. The Hackathon brought together developers, startups, product innovators, data scientists, and healthcare professionals to co-create health tech solutions that address healthcare challenges across the continent.

The conference was attended by notable industry leaders and dignitaries in the health sector, including Adham Yehia, the President and Co-founder of DrugStoc; Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); and Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, Past President of PSN and Founder of Pharmaplus, Dr. Mories Atoki, CEO ABCHealth.

Also in attendance were Dr. Tolu Ajomale, the Head of Special Projects at the Lagos State Ministry of Health; Pharm Olufemi Adeoye, the Director, South West Zonal Office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) who represented the Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri; and Dr. Olugbenga Fadipe, Head of Medical operations, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) who represented the Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuella Zamba.