Gates Foundation and OpenAI Commit $50m to AI-Powered Health Systems in Africa
The partnership reflects growing momentum around the use of AI to address systemic healthcare challenges in Africa, while emphasizing ethical application and government-led integration.
The Gates Foundation and OpenAI have announced a new collaboration aimed at supporting African governments as they integrate artificial intelligence into national health systems.
The pilot initiative, known as Horizon1000, will combine $50 million in funding, technology, and technical support to help countries apply AI tools that strengthen primary healthcare delivery. The programme is designed to support health workers, improve quality of care, and expand patient reach in resource-constrained settings.
Sub-Saharan Africa currently faces an estimated health workforce shortage of 5.6 million, a gap that training alone is unlikely to close. The initiative will explore how AI can augment clinical capacity, streamline workflows, and support frontline health workers to serve more patients effectively.
Implementation will begin in Rwanda, with plans to scale the programme to 1,000 primary healthcare clinics and surrounding communities across multiple countries by 2028.
Speaking on the initiative, Paula Ingabire highlighted the importance of responsible deployment, noting that AI’s impact in healthcare depends on purpose-driven use, strong values, and keeping people at the center of innovation.
“At the same time, artificial intelligence carries enormous potential to support health care workers and to improve how care is delivered. But this potential can only be realized if AI is applied with purpose, strong values and people at the center. Application of AI in health care must reflect the context and the needs of our communities. I am encouraged by partnerships with organizations such as Gates Foundation and OpenAI, which are supporting African countries starting here in Rwanda, as we apply AI to strengthen our national health systems and to improve health outcomes for our people. These partnerships demonstrate how public leadership, innovation, and shared learning come together to deliver real impact.”
-Honorable Minister Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda
The partnership reflects growing momentum around the use of AI to address systemic healthcare challenges in Africa, while emphasizing ethical application and government-led integration.
