Rwanda’s ICT Minister, Paula Ingabire, has highlighted the country’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology to tackle malaria in high-risk areas, underscoring the central role technology is increasingly playing in healthcare delivery across Africa.
The integration of AI stands as a capable additional hand in the healthcare system, complementing existing frameworks as Rwanda addresses malaria alongside other persistent public health challenges.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ingabire emphasized that AI has become a critical tool in combating malaria, which accounts for 70% of cases handled by community health workers annually. From testing and prevention to treatment, AI has been integrated into Rwanda’s national health framework to provide predictive modeling, supporting health workers on the ground and helping to reduce malaria incidence.
“For us, what we did was to use a combination of AI and drones. And so we are able to use drones in terms of figuring out what are the mosquito breeding sites across the different communities. Using a bit of AI for prediction modeling and also using drones to spray in many cases reducing malaria cases we are supposed to get,” Ingabire said.
Over the past eight years, Rwanda has reduced malaria cases from 4.8 million in 2017 to 620,000 in 2023/2024, with eight districts reaching pre-elimination status. Drones are deployed to directly target mosquito breeding sites, while AI forecasts outbreaks and supports disease modeling to improve prevention strategies.
These technological interventions are integrated into the Rwanda Malaria Strategic Plan (MSP) 2020–2024, extended to 2027, which includes entomological monitoring, insecticide resistance management, mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), targeted indoor residual spraying (IRS), and larval source management, in line with World Health Organization guidelines.
The conversation around AI in healthcare has gained momentum following a $50 million pilot project announced by the Gates Foundation and OpenAI, which will begin in Rwanda and later expand to South Africa. The initiative, Horizon 1000, aims to roll out AI solutions to 1,000 African primary healthcare clinics by 2028, providing funding, technology, and technical support.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described AI as a “scientific marvel” but stressed the importance of applying it pragmatically to social issues to make it a “social marvel.” Meanwhile, Bill Gates highlighted the project’s goal to improve healthcare quality, reduce administrative paperwork, and streamline patient care.
“The goal is to make [healthcare] much higher quality, and if possible, twice as efficient as it is today – taking away the paperwork, organizing resources so the patient knows what is available and when to come for their appointments,” Gates said.
Rwanda is among the leading African nations embracing advanced technology to improve healthcare, addressing challenges such as inefficiency, resource shortages, and weak infrastructure. Other countries, including Ghana, are also adopting digital solutions, such as the Lightwave model, to reduce paperwork and improve care delivery.
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