Smart Africa Validates Digital Health Framework to Connect Health Systems Across 42 Countries
The framework outlines mechanisms for cross-border data exchange, including the creation of unique patient identification numbers, establishment of national registries for healthcare professionals and facilities, and implementation of national data gateway systems to enable semantic interoperability.
The Smart Africa Board of Heads of State has officially validated the Smart Africa Digital Health Blueprint, marking a historic step toward creating a Single Digital Health Market (SDHM) across the continent. The announcement was made during the Transform Africa Summit 2025 in Conakry, Guinea, and positions the blueprint as the definitive framework for building interoperable, people-centered health systems in Africa. This validation aims to transform fragmented national health systems into a cohesive, secure, and continent-wide Africa Health Data Space.
The urgency of this initiative stems from Africa’s pressing health challenges. Life expectancy across the continent averages just 64 years, compared to the global average of 72, while infant mortality stands at 47 deaths per 1,000 births, nearly double the worldwide average. Sub-Saharan Africa’s annual health expenditure per person is a mere $79, compared to $1,015 globally. The blueprint addresses these gaps by ensuring that patient health information can follow individuals seamlessly across borders, thereby reducing preventable deaths caused by disconnected care.
At the heart of the blueprint is the establishment of technological and governance structures to facilitate secure health information exchange (HIE) across 42 member states. It provides a standards-based pathway for countries to implement solutions that strengthen system performance and foster innovation. Key pillars include interoperability and standards, robust governance and policy frameworks, and the development of modern technology platforms and infrastructure to support cross-border health data sharing.
The framework outlines mechanisms for cross-border data exchange, including the creation of unique patient identification numbers, establishment of national registries for healthcare professionals and facilities, and implementation of national data gateway systems to enable semantic interoperability. A continental platform will also manage patient consent for cross-border data access, ensuring that citizens retain control over their health information.
With the blueprint approved, the next step is the formation of the Smart Africa Digital Health Leadership Network, which will oversee the implementation of the SDHM, referred to as the “Africa Health Data Space.” This initiative complements the broader Smart Africa Alliance vision of establishing a Single African Digital Market by 2030. The increasing digital connectivity in Africa, with SIM connections projected to reach 1.36 billion by 2030, provides a strong foundation for this ambitious plan.
Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa, described the validation as a defining moment for digital health in Africa, emphasizing that the blueprint ensures the continent’s healthcare future will be digital, connected, and driven by African solutions. The initiative aims to guarantee that no African loses their life due to inaccessible health information, moving the continent closer to a unified, digitally enabled healthcare ecosystem.
