The energy at the Africa HealthTech Summit (#AHTS2025) in Kigali, Rwanda, from 13 -15 October 2025, was at an all time high! As a partner in the Be He@lthy, Be Mobile (BHBM) initiative — a joint force alongside WHO, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Vital Strategies — we were thrilled to co-host a panel discussion and wellness activation that placed the silent epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) squarely at the forefront. 

The question guiding our work, and the conversations at the Summit, remains urgent: How can digital innovation help shift the tide against NCDs in Africa?

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Digital Health for NCD Prevention: Africa and Beyond

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are set to become Africa's top killer by 2030, making scalable, evidence-based intervention urgent. Following crucial discussions at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, global and regional leaders convened to tackle this immediate crisis.

Key Takeaways: Digital is Essential, Collaboration is Key

The core message from the panel was clear: digital health is not optional for solving the NCD crisis in Africa.

• Innovation for access: Joseph Ngamije (Vital Strategies) highlighted that with high mobile phone usage and limited traditional healthcare access, innovation is key. The Be He@lthy, Be Mobile (BHBM) initiative is important, leveraging mobile tech to sustainably scale NCD prevention and management.
• Empowering primary care: Ngamije stressed the need to strengthen primary healthcare for early detection of conditions like hypertension and diabetes, supported by mobile supply chains for essential medicines.
• Digital as a tool, not a replacement: Alphonse Murangira (Rwanda NCD Alliance) urged using digital solutions as an essential tool to complement — not replace — conventional healthcare. He also emphasised the need for private sector and local government partnerships to build trust and credibility for scaling.
• Massive reach & AI power: Julius Mugalo (WHO Rwanda) showcased BHBM’s platform, which has already supported over 50 million people globally, highlighting its cost-effectiveness. He noted that AI is actively being used for early detection and timely intervention.
• People-centered design: Debbie  emphasised creating AI-powered digital health platforms that are people-centered tools that citizens "love and want to use" to ensure practical, lasting change and that provide individuals with information and resources they need. 

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The Call to 'Collaboraction'

Solving this complex challenge requires "collaboraction" — a term used at the summit that underscores working together to influence real change through action. No single entity can solve the NCD problem alone.

The panel issued an urgent, multi-sectoral call to action:

1. Strengthen primary healthcare by using digital tools for early NCD detection and management.
2. Adopt WHO Best Buys interventions by implementing policy measures like taxing unhealthy products to encourage healthier environments.
3. Harness technology through leveraging AI and mobile platforms for data, informed decision-making, and delivering reliable information on prevention and care.

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Wellness in Action: The BHBM Wellness Hub

Beyond policy talk, the BHBM consortium co-hosted the BHBM Wellness Hub at the summit. This dynamic activation demonstrated BHBM's two-layer impact: personal well-being and national-scale digital solutions. Brought to the Summit in collaboration with Dala Africa Group and Lifesten Health.

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The BHBM Wellness Hub successfully engaged over 500 delegates across four vital zones (De-stress, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Screening), bringing NCD prevention to life. The interactive 5K Steps-a-Day Challenge motivated 142 people to download the Lifesten app and compete, showing the power of digital health and community to drive personal action.

The Africa HealthTech Summit reaffirmed a crucial mission: Africa must lead in defining its own health future.

We are committed to continuing our partnerships with governments, WHO, ITU, Vital Strategies, and local alliances to ensure digital health is seamlessly integrated into national strategies, delivering long-term impact against NCDs.

Ready to partner and shape the future of African healthcare? Reach out to us for a discussion.

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