Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a transformative tool for strengthening healthcare systems worldwide. In Africa, persistent challenges such as workforce shortages, weak infrastructure, and inequitable access to care continue to hinder progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). AI offers innovative solutions to address these challenges by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving disease surveillance, and optimizing health system performance. This study presents a scoping review of AI applications in African healthcare systems, synthesizing evidence from peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2015 and 2024. 78 studies were included. Findings indicate that AI applications are mainly concentrated in clinical diagnostics, public health surveillance, and system management. While these applications show significant promise, their large-scale implementation remains limited due to infrastructural, ethical, and governance challenges. Strategic investments in digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and human capacity are critical to harness the full potential of AI for advancing UHC in Africa.

Keywords

artificial intelligence, Africa, healthcare systems, universal health coverage, digital health, scoping review