Insights : Accelerating Local Investment in Digital Health

Panelists:

Dr. Larai Aliyu Tambuwal – Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency

Mr. Afeez Olajire – Managing Partner and CEO of ACE Strategy and Consult Limited

Mr. Opeoluwa Olajuwon – Senior Supply Chain Analyst at CHAI, Nigeria

Moderator:

Joyce Shinyi – Communications Associate

Summary

Accelerating Local Investment in Digital Health

The 34th edition of the Insights Webinar, hosted by eHealth Africa, underscored a central and urgent theme: shifting from an over-reliance on external funding to a model of sustainable, locally-driven investment in digital health. The discussion was a bold step toward pushing the conversation forward on why homegrown financing and ownership are crucial for the long-term success and resilience of Nigeria’s health systems.

Panelists were in strong agreement that digital health has for too long been treated as an external project or buzzword, a model that is not sustainable. As one panelist noted, a major reason for this is that most digital health projects were historically introduced to Nigeria through external funding. However, the time has come to treat digital health as an integral part of the country’s health system and a national responsibility.

The webinar emphasized that local investment goes far beyond financial allocation. It is a “holistic commitment” that involves investing in local talent, creating roles for data stewards and product managers, and building a sustainable infrastructure with strong data standards and legal frameworks. Panelists provided tangible examples of this, such as states transitioning from donor-hosted infrastructure to government-managed servers, signaling a move towards self-reliance.

Additionally, the discussion explored why a higher percentage of investment still comes from external sources, citing factors such as constrained fiscal space, competing priorities, and unreliable local markets. Despite these challenges, there is a clear vision for the future: a shift in mindset where innovation, leadership, and accountability are prioritized to drive sustainable change. The panelists encouraged young innovators to focus their problem-solving skills on the health sector, with one stating, “Cooperation is the new innovation.”