Digital Public Infrastructure and Health Innovation - Drivers of Development in Africa

Greetings! In this month’s edition of the?Leading African Voices Newsletter, we delve into a concept increasingly viewed as a game-changer for the continent: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which is becoming as essential to Africa's development as roads and highways. We also explore?important?innovations that can significantly improve health and save lives across the continent.

UNLEASHING AFRICA’S POTENTIAL THROUGH DPI

DPI took center stage at the?3i Africa Summit?in Accra, Ghana, where leaders highlighted its crucial role in driving economic growth across the continent. So, what is it, why should Africa’s leaders and citizens pay attention to it, and does it have the potential to spur Africa’s digital transformation?

In 2023, DPI was thrust into the global spotlight thanks to India’s G20 push for large-scale investment in what it touted as a solution to narrow the global digital divide.?Sabine Mensah, Deputy CEO of AfricaNenda, is no stranger to this concept. Fresh from the 3i Africa Summit, where she emphasized the crucial role of digital identity systems, payment platforms, and data exchanges in building a robust digital ecosystem, Sabine breaks down DPI in an engaging interview with TechTrends. Here, she discusses DPI's transformative potential and highlights its ability to drive economic growth, enhance public service delivery, and promote inclusive development in Africa. She also lauds its capacity to address gender inequalities by improving access to financial services. Read more?here.

HEALTH INNOVATIONS

Scientific advances, such as gene therapy, mRNA vaccines, and genome editing, can potentially end some of the world’s deadliest diseases. Thanks to the power of science,?there are?tools and novel innovations that can help meet more women’s needs, bring care closer to home, and save women and newborns’ lives. However, new health innovations still take too long to reach?some African countries, and many governments still face challenges to adopt and bring them to scale.

Prof. Samba Sow, former Minister of Health of Mali and Director General of the Center for Vaccine Development - Mali (CVD-Mali), highlights the critical state of maternal health in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of global maternal deaths occur. In "Why Women's Health Matters for Everyone's Future" published in AllAfrica, he emphasizes the need for urgent action to reduce maternal and newborn mortality by improving primary healthcare systems, investing in trained health professionals like midwives, and innovative products that help us meet more women's needs and save the lives of women and babies. Prof. Sow also stresses the economic benefits of investing in women’s health, significantly contributing to productivity and growth. Read more here.

The COVID-19 pandemic offered many crucial lessons for Africa, primarily the urgent need to ramp up local vaccine manufacturing led by Africans, for Africa. Prof.?Yap Boum II, Executive Director, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, offers his expert opinion on the critical challenges and opportunities for deploying mRNA technology, gene editing, and local vaccine manufacturing in Africa in an article recently published by Semafor Africa. His insights highlight the need for political will, infrastructure development, and regulatory improvements to harness these technologies for better health outcomes on the continent. Read more?here.

ALL FOR HEALTH, HEALTH FOR ALL!

It is during global health crises that we realize just how interconnected world health systems are, and how crucial it is to be prepared and resilient in challenging times. Having seen the large-scale and often gendered impact of such crises, we know that investing in robust and inclusive systems to address global health challenges is no longer considered a “nice to have” - it’s a social, health and economic imperative.?

At the just concluded?77th World Health Assembly, health and political leaders worldwide faced mounting pressure to find sustainable solutions to address persistent inequities in global health. While we wait to see the tangible outcomes from numerous meetings and closed-door negotiations, we celebrate the achievements of those among us who are making a difference.

In panel discussions hosted by Devex at the WHA,?Dr. Magda Robalo, President and Co-Founder of The Institute for Global Health and Development, and?Prof. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Chair of the Association Galien Africa and former Minister of Health of Senegal, shared their insights on matters ranging from the Pandemic Treaty and the necessity for Africa’s leaders to advocate for a unified response to global health challenges, to the importance of effective partnerships in building resilient health systems across Africa. Find out more about the discussions here?&?here.

LEADING AFRICAN VOICES SPOTLIGHT

Celebrating Women in Science

Over the decades, women’s contributions to science have largely remained in the background, despite them driving innovation, ?transforming public health, and saving and improving lives. Recognizing their achievements not only serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity within the scientific ecosystem, it inspires future generations of female scientists. Women like Marie Curie, who discovered radium and polonium, Rosalind Franklin, whose work was critical to understanding DNA structure, and Ada Lovelace, who is considered the first computer programmer, have paved the way for countless others.

In the spirit of celebrating women in science, this month we spotlight?Prof. Rose Leke, Professor of Immunology and Parasitology and Chair of the Gavi Independent Review Committee. Prof. Leke recently received the?2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Award for Africa and the Arab States?for her dedicated leadership and pioneering research. Her significant advancements in pregnancy-associated malaria research, polio eradication, and immunization efforts have profoundly impacted public health across the continent. Beyond her research, Prof. Leke's advocacy for young women scientists solidifies her role as a leading educator, an inspiring role model, and an icon.

NEWS YOU COULD USE

Replenishing IDA21?

What are the challenges of funding health in Africa, and are there more effective ways to leverage the tools and resources at the continent’s disposal? In an interview with CGTN Africa,?Daouda Sembene, CEO of AfriCatalyst, takes a look at the International Development Association (IDA) replenishment process and discusses the delicate balancing act that many African countries find themselves trapped in as they juggle mounting debt, weak health systems, competing priorities, and inadequate funding. In a refreshing take, he shares his optimism about global fundraising goals, at a time when many others have raised the alarm about?dwindling funding for global health. Watch the full interview?here.

Growing HeForShe Champions

Despite their crucial role in Africa's economy, women face significant challenges including limited access to financial resources, education, and formal employment. These barriers stifle their economic independence and the continent's growth potential. Addressing these issues, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and UN Women strengthened their collaboration, as highlighted at a side event during the AfDB's 2024 Annual Meetings held in Nairobi. The event showcased achievements and strategies to promote gender equality and empower women economically. UN Women announced AfDB's inclusion in the HeForShe Alliance and recognized AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina as a HeForShe Champion. Read the full article?here.

Leveraging DPI to Unlock Women’s Economic Power?

“Unlocking Women’s Economic Power in Africa Through Digital Public Infrastructure” is an insightful article published by Forbes Africa that highlights the potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to boost women’s economic power in Africa. The article, penned by?Sabine Mensah, Deputy CEO of AfricaNenda, and?Juliana Rotich, CEO of ECS Africa, explains how DPI can facilitate financial inclusion and improve access to services. They argue that realizing the full potential of DPI requires supportive regulatory frameworks and tailored digital products. This would ensure that women are at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation, potentially adding trillions to the continent’s GDP. Read the full article?here.

LOOKING AHEAD

Bonn Climate Change Conference, June 3-13?— These inter-sessional meetings hosted by the?United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its headquarters in Bonn aim to ensure that each COP can continue to address the most pressing issues effectively.

World Environment Day, June 5?— The United Nations commemorates this day to raise awareness and encourage action for protecting our environment. It focuses on critical issues including climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.

50th G7 Leaders Summit, June 13-15?— Heads of state and governments from the seven major industrialized countries, and EU leaders, will gather in Italy to discuss and share their views on the most important challenges facing the international community.??

World Blood Donor Day, June 14?— This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of blood donation and thanking voluntary blood donors for their life-saving contributions.

International Day of the African Child, June 16?— African governments, child and youth organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders come together on this day to discuss the challenges and opportunities in realizing children’s rights in Africa.

3rd IDA21 Replenishment Meeting, June 18-21?— This meeting, to be held in Nepal, aims to discuss IDA’s approach to the focus areas agreed upon in the first IDA21 meeting, reach an agreement on the IDA21’s results measurement framework, and zoom in on IDA21’s potential key features which may include crisis preparedness, vulnerability, and the SimplifIDA initiative.