BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – The future of healthcare in East, Central and Southern Africa is set to take a major step forward following a strategic partnership that will harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen health systems, drive innovation and improve healthcare outcomes across the region.
The East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) and Skye Africa Intelligence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 4, 2026, in the Kingdom of Eswatini, paving the way for collaboration in scaling AI-enabled health solutions across the region.
The landmark agreement was signed by ECSA-HC Director General Dr Ntuli Kapologwe and Skye Africa Intelligence Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Lefentse Nokaneng.
The partnership seeks to combine ECSA-HC’s regional health expertise with Skye Africa Intelligence’s technological capabilities to develop and promote innovative solutions that can support healthcare systems and improve service delivery for communities.
Speaking during a press briefing, ECSA-HC Director of Operations and Institutional Development Sibusiso Sibandze said collaboration with innovators and partners is key to ensuring that digital solutions create meaningful change in healthcare.
“We need to work together with innovators and partners to identify solutions that can be scaled across the region and make a meaningful impact on people’s lives,” said Sibandze.
He said the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI presents an opportunity for countries in the region to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve efficiency and develop solutions that respond to the needs of communities.
The MoU will support joint efforts to explore AI-driven approaches that can contribute towards better decision-making, stronger health systems and improved health outcomes across ECSA-HC member states.
Through the partnership, the two organisations will work together to advance digital health transformation by promoting innovation, knowledge sharing and the use of technology to address healthcare challenges.
The collaboration comes at a time when countries across Africa are increasingly embracing digital solutions to expand access to quality healthcare, enhance service delivery and support healthcare professionals with improved tools and resources.
ECSA-HC continues to champion regional cooperation by bringing together member states, research institutions and partners to address shared health priorities through evidence-based interventions and innovation.
The partnership with Skye Africa Intelligence further strengthens efforts to position technology as a key driver in building healthcare systems that are more responsive, efficient and accessible.
Skye Africa Intelligence Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Lefentse Nokaneng said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to using innovation to create solutions that positively impact communities across the region.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a digitally enabled healthcare future, where Artificial Intelligence can support healthcare professionals, policymakers and institutions in delivering improved services to citizens.
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