AI in healthcare: A US$188 billion opportunity for Ghana and Africa by 2030
By Edwin Gyimah
The AI-enabled healthcare market is set to explode from US$15 billion in 2023 to nearly US$188 billion by 2030, according to Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID). This is not just a global trend. It is a clear signal for Ghana and the entire West African region to leap forward.
Speaking at the International Conference on AI in Healthcare and Pharma (ICAIH) hosted by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Dr Donkor painted a picture of a continent on the cusp of transformation. The global digital health market, he noted, is projected to exceed US$900 billion by 2030. For Africa, the question is not whether to adopt AI, but how fast we can build the systems and enterprises to serve our people.
“It is time to rethink the healthcare architecture,” Dr Donkor declared. “We must bring AI-powered diagnostics, research, and medical technologies to build enterprises that serve the masses.”
This is the kind of thinking that drives the Africa we want. The conference, themed “Transforming Healthcare from Expenders to ‘Healthpreneurs’: Leveraging AI as the Bedrock for Regional Cooperation,” is a direct call to action for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers.
Why AI is a game-changer for Ghana’s health sector
The numbers are stark. The West African Development Outlook (WADO) projects 4.8 percent growth for the ECOWAS sub-region in 2025, but productivity remains modest. Nearly six million people are expected to be unemployed by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, health systems face rising demand, a surge in chronic diseases, and a persistent shortage of skilled professionals.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates a global shortage of approximately 11 million health workers by 2030. Africa will feel the greatest pressure. But Dr Donkor is clear: “Artificial Intelligence is not here to replace healthcare professionals. It is a critical tool for extending AI reach and enabling better care with limited resources.”
AI is already reshaping healthcare across the entire value chain. From prevention and diagnosis to treatment, logistics, pharmaceutical research, hospital administration, and public health surveillance, the potential is enormous.
Building partnerships for a digital health revolution
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, called for stronger collaboration among universities, industry, and development partners. “UHAS is committed to producing job-ready graduates equipped with AI and digital skills to meet the changing demands of the global health sector,” she said. Partnerships, she stressed, are essential to achieving that vision.
Professor Alexander Ansah Manu, lead organiser of the conference, described AI as an inevitable technological advancement. “It may initially appear unfamiliar, like an ‘alien’ with human-like characteristics, but it should be viewed as a tool that complements rather than replaces human intelligence,” he said. While AI is driven by data, algorithms, and statistics, healthcare must always preserve the human element of compassion, ethics, and professional judgment.
Key players driving the AI healthcare agenda
The ICAIH conference has brought together a powerful coalition of partners, including the WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, the Health Facilities Regulator Agency (HEFRA), the FDA, the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), the University of Ghana (UG), Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Agricultural Development Bank (adb), Microsoft, Melcom, the African Union (AU), EBID, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
This is not just a conference. It is a movement. For Ghanaian entrepreneurs, diaspora investors, and tech innovators, the message is clear: the future of healthcare is digital, and the time to act is now.
Frequently asked questions about AI in healthcare in Ghana
What is the projected size of the AI-enabled healthcare market by 2030?
The market is expected to reach approximately US$188 billion by 2030, up from US$15 billion in 2023.
How will AI affect healthcare jobs in Ghana?
AI is not meant to replace healthcare professionals. It is a tool to extend their reach and enable better care with limited resources.
Who is leading the push for AI in Ghana’s healthcare system?
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) is hosting the International Conference on AI in Healthcare and Pharma, with support from major partners including WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, Microsoft, and EBID.
What does the term ‘healthpreneur’ mean in this context?
It refers to entrepreneurs who build businesses around AI-powered health solutions, turning healthcare from a cost center into a revenue-generating innovation sector.
Photo: GhanaWeb