Policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, technology innovators and development partners are expected to converge in Abuja on October 19 and 20 for the Artificial Intelligence in Health Summit 2026, aimed at developing practical frameworks for the responsible integration of AI into healthcare systems.
The two-day summit is being convened by the Africa Hub for Innovation and Development (AHFID) under the theme “Catalysing Country AI-in-Health Frameworks for Transformative Healthcare Systems”.
Speaking during a media engagement in Abuja ahead of the event, AHFID founder Dr Kunle Kakanfo said the summit would shift discussions on artificial intelligence in healthcare from its potential benefits to practical strategies that countries could implement.
“The increasing application of AI presents opportunities for healthcare systems, but countries must also address the infrastructure, governance, human capacity and policy requirements needed to make such technologies effective and sustainable,” Kakanfo said.
The summit comes amid growing interest in artificial intelligence across Africa as a potential tool for improving healthcare delivery, strengthening public health intelligence and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
However, experts warn that technological innovation alone cannot guarantee better health outcomes.
Issues such as data protection, privacy, regulation, ethics, public trust, accessibility and the capacity of healthcare workers to use AI effectively remain critical to ensuring that the technology delivers meaningful benefits.
Also speaking during the media engagement, Dr Abiola Oshunniyi, a global development and digital transformation adviser, emphasised the need to build public trust and ensure that AI solutions address actual healthcare needs.
Oshunniyi has previously been involved in digital health and health system transformation initiatives. AHFID has also identified him as a moderator for its pre-summit discussions on the relationship between artificial intelligence, healthcare and community trust.
From innovation to implementation
According to the organisers, the summit will bring together representatives of government, healthcare institutions, technology companies, academia and development organisations to examine the policies, infrastructure and partnerships Nigeria needs to integrate AI successfully into its healthcare system.
The programme will feature discussions on national AI-in-health strategies, governance and regulatory frameworks, AI-enabled healthcare delivery, and the use of artificial intelligence for public health intelligence and national preparedness.
Expected speakers include the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa, Lacina Koné; the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Chief Digital Adviser, Jean Philbert; the National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Dr Olubunmi Ajala; and the Chief Executive Officer of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Dr Jay Osi Samuels, among others.
AHFID says its priority is to ensure that the adoption of AI in healthcare is guided by clearly defined health priorities rather than technological enthusiasm alone. It also stresses the need for effective policies and institutional capacity to support responsible implementation.
The summit is expected to provide a national platform for discussions on how emerging technologies can strengthen healthcare systems, improve resilience and support progress towards universal health coverage across Africa.
As artificial intelligence gains prominence in areas such as medical diagnosis, health data management, public health surveillance and service delivery, participants are expected to explore the safeguards, partnerships and policy frameworks needed to ensure that the technology is deployed responsibly and at scale.
The Artificial Intelligence in Health Summit 2026 will hold in Abuja on October 19 and 20.
