Digital health shift puts AI, hospital technology on Kenya procurement agenda

Kenya’s healthcare sector is accelerating the adoption of digital technologies, creating growing opportunities for providers of artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine and hospital management systems as health facilities move from pilot projects to wider implementation.

The shift is being driven by digital health reforms, including the Digital Health Act, 2023, which established the Digital Health Agency and a framework for integrated health information systems, digital services and health data governance.

The Ministry of Health is advancing initiatives such as the Health Information Exchange, electronic claims processing, the SHA Registration Portal, AfyaYangu app and digital hospital management systems.

AI-assisted imaging and other digital tools are also being explored to improve diagnosis, disease surveillance and community-level healthcare.

Kenya Healthcare Federation CEO Dr. Anne Musuva said the reforms were opening up opportunities to improve healthcare delivery.

“Kenya is undergoing ambitious digital health reforms, creating significant opportunities to improve access, efficiency and quality across our healthcare system,” Musuva said.

She added that AI-supported diagnostics and telemedicine could extend healthcare services beyond major urban centres, while collaboration between government, providers and technology companies would be critical in turning policy into practical solutions.

The economic opportunity is also significant, with GSMA estimating that digitalisation could contribute about Ksh.19 billion to Kenya’s economy by 2028.

However, unreliable electricity, limited access to devices and inadequate broadband remain barriers to wider adoption of telemedicine in Africa.

This is increasing demand for technologies capable of operating with limited connectivity, supporting offline workflows, integrating with existing health systems and protecting patient data.

The regional opportunity is also attracting investment. Briter data shows East African startups raised about US$865 million (Ksh.111.9 billion) between January and August 2025, including approximately US$150 million (Ksh.19.4 billion) for health technology.

The developments will feature prominently at World Health Expo (WHX) Nairobi, scheduled for September 16–18 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. The 10th edition is expected to attract more than 5,500 healthcare professionals and feature over 200 exhibitors from more than 30 countries.

Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director–Healthcare at Informa Markets, said the event comes as healthcare providers assess technologies with practical applications.

“WHX in Nairobi brings together AI diagnostics, telemedicine platforms, and hospital technology providers with healthcare leaders during an active procurement period,” Coleman said.