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African ICT Foundation Calls for Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the Continent’s Healthcare Challenges

The African ICT Foundation (AFICTF) has advocated that artificial learning and machine language will change the future by improving treatment design, fine tuning diagnosis and improving accuracy and speed of detection, improving clinical administration, patient experience and general human life.
The Foundation made its position known in a paper presented at the annual seminar of the Lagos University Medical Society, hosted by the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital with the theme: Artificial Intelligence in Health designed to inform the members of the profession about latest technology advance in health care.
A member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Mr. Oludare Akinbo who spoke on the topic: ‘AI in Medical Practice-Future of Healthcare’ noted that media attention has largely centred on the ability of AI/ML to transform how clinical care is delivered through better diagnostics and treatments.
According to him, IBM’s Watson supercomputer is still the best-known appliance for Machine Learning adding that Watson is mainly used in the medical and financial sectors.
He disclosed that there are 121 digital health companies leveraging AI/ML and have raised a total of $2.7B with 206 deals from 2011 through 2017, which just over 10% of all venture dollars invested in digital health during that period.
He said also that funding for AI/ML companies peaked in 2016 at $776.4M representing nearly one-third of total funding to AI/ML companies since 2011.
Quoting a 2016 report from CB Insights, Akinbo said that about 86% of healthcare provider organisations, life science companies, and technology vendors to healthcare are using artificial intelligence technology saying that by 2020, these organisations will spend an average of $54 million on artificial intelligence projects.
Akinbo stated further that many AI technologies are cropping up to help people streamline administrative and clinical health care processes.
“Various professionals and reports predict that artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) will diagnose disease better and earlier, treat illness more precisely, and engage patients more efficiently than today’s healthcare system does. On top of this, AI/ML is expected to streamline business operations and restore sanity (and humanity) to the clinician experience”, he said.
He also noted that the major technology giants have ventured into healthcare and thus already changing the future of healthcare and promising more radical changes for the better in the nearest future.
“I will say you can’t liken this to a rolling stone that gathers no moss, but a raging powerful avalanche that won’t stop for anything in it’s path”, Akinbo stated.
On why the health care providers need to embrace technology, particularly, machine learning, Akinbo stressed: “machine learning undoubtedly helps people to work more creatively and efficiently. Basically, you too can delegate quite complex or monotonous work to the computer through Machine Learning-starting with scanning, saving and filing paper documents such as invoices up to organizing and editing images.”
He noted that the Foundation supports initiative that deploys ICT solve healthcare problems in Africa, listing the 10 common ways AI is changing healthcare now and will in the future to include: Managing Medical Records and Other Data, Doing Repetitive Jobs, Treatment Design, Digital Consultation Apps, Virtual Nurses, Medication Management, Drug Creation, Precision Medicine, Health Monitoring and Healthcare System Analysis.
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UK Minister for Africa Visits Nigeria to Deepen Strategic Partnership

The United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, has concluded a three-day visit to Nigeria, aimed at reinforcing the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership.
He reaffirmed the UK Government’s strong commitment to deepening trade and investment ties between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
During his visit, Lord Collins met with senior Nigerian government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives and United Nations agencies.
These engagements underlined the UK’s long-term drive to support Nigeria’s prosperity and stability while deepening bilateral cooperation for transformative growth across our shared priorities.
A key highlight of the visit was Lord Collin’s bilateral meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, in which both parties reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to strengthening economic ties and promoting regional security. The Minister was joined by the UK’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi MP.
Lord Collins also met with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen engagement between UK’s parliament and Nigeria’s National Assembly and the importance of furthering women’s participation in politics.
Speaking on his visit, the UK Government’s Minister for Africa, Lord Collins said: “Nigeria and the UK share a rich, ambitious relationship: one that is deeply rooted in respect.
“Our Strategic Partnership is at the forefront of this, and my visit has focused on how our countries can continue deepening our cooperation on key issues such as trade and investment to drive economic growth and deliver prosperity for us all.”
The Minister held discussions with United Nations representatives on the ongoing reform of the UN system, its implications for Nigeria and how the reform can effectively support those most in need, particularly in Northeast Nigeria, whilst also contributing to global humanitarian efforts.
Lord Collins also met with civil society leaders to discuss electoral integrity and governance reforms, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to democratic values and community empowerment.
He later visited Nigeria’s Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell: a key security initiative supported by UK expertise through the National Crime Agency and the Integrated Security Fund, which plays a vital role in enhancing local safety and combating serious crime.
Also commenting on the visit, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, said: “Driving growth is central to the UK’s foreign and development policy. Lord Collins’ visit to Nigeria underscores the UK’s unwavering commitment to deepening our shared prosperity through expanded trade and investment. We are proud to stand alongside Nigeria as it forges a resilient and dynamic economy.”
This visit underscores the UK’s enduring partnership with Nigeria – built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a vision for a prosperous future for both nations.
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PalmPay Launches CSR Initiatives to Empower Women, Foster Financial Literacy in Northern Nigeria

In a strategic move to expand financial inclusion in Nigeria, leading mobile banking platform, PalmPay has launched a series of CSR programs across Kano and Kaduna. The CSR initiative named “Passing the Baton” represents the brand’s commitment to passing on knowledge and providing the resources individuals and businesses need to achieve financial independence and drive economic empowerment.
This initiative is a bold move by PalmPay to bridge the opportunity gap in the North by providing financial literacy training and micro-business branding support to 5,000 women-owned businesses in Kano and Kaduna. This strategic initiative reaffirms PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive development and economic empowerment, particularly in underserved regions.
“At PalmPay, we believe that real financial inclusion must be far reaching and cover the grassroots,” said Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay. “Our new CSR program is focused on supporting gender equity by equipping women with the knowledge, tools, and visibility they need to thrive as entrepreneurs in their communities.”
Through this initiative, beneficiaries will receive free health insurance, hands-on training workshops, enhanced store branding to boost visibility, and branded merchandise to strengthen their business presence.
The initiative is part of PalmPay’s broader strategy to extend its innovative solutions, expand its footprint in Northern Nigeria, while building sustainable partnerships with local stakeholders for long-term impact.
In a show of support, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, has endorsed the initiative, calling on other stakeholders to join forces with PalmPay in ensuring the North benefits fully from the growing digital economy. PalmPay has received commendation from community stakeholders, as the initiative aims to serve as a model for similar projects across other northern states.
As PalmPay continues to scale across Nigeria, the company remains committed to bridging the financial inclusion gap and empowering underserved groups, particularly women and youth, through its innovative solutions and impact initiatives.
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