As artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to transform industries across the globe, Nigeria is positioned at the forefront of this transformation within West Africa. The rapid adoption of AI in healthcare in Nigeria presents an urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure the ethical and responsible use of this technology. However, the absence of comprehensive governance structures poses significant risks to public interests, data security, and long-term innovation within the healthcare sector.
Recognizing this gap, renowned global health advocate, Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, President of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and CEO of HealthAI, has spearheaded a mission to promote the inclusion of ECOWAS countries (particularly Nigeria) in global efforts to regulate AI in healthcare. During his visit to Nigeria, Dr. Baptista Leite attended the Healthcare Policy Dialogue organized by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), where he had the opportunity to present to top healthcare leaders from Nigeria’s public and private sectors. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, was among the distinguished attendees.
Following that, in a series of high-level meetings, Dr. Baptista Leite urged regional leaders on the importance of developing and strengthening regulatory capacities that align with global standards for AI in healthcare. Dr. Baptista Leite met with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray; Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and many others to discuss the critical role of AI governance in West Africa’s healthcare future. The discussions centered on building regional capacities to manage AI’s rapid growth in healthcare, ensuring it is harnessed responsibly to drive sustainable development across healthcare, education, and innovation.
Through his organization, HealthAI, Dr. Baptista Leite is leading efforts to develop an AI toolkit and awareness training programs aimed at empowering government agencies across Europe and West Africa. He said: “We provide technical assistance towards building effective country-led governance and regulatory models for the use of artificial intelligence in health systems. Our goal is to ensure that countries have the tools they need to manage the risks while fully embracing the opportunities AI offers to improve healthcare outcomes.”
“Ultimately, we aim to support governments in their efforts to ensure citizens and patients are kept safe while promoting and harnessing the power of AI to help transform healthcare systems. By doing so, we can help deliver better quality of life and well-being for all, while addressing the ethical and technical challenges AI presents.”
AI systems, while transformative, also carry significant risks if left unregulated. In healthcare, poorly designed AI algorithms can lead to biased diagnostic tools, misdiagnoses, or unequal treatment, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Similarly, the lack of clear guidelines on data privacy could result in the misuse of patient information, exacerbating inequality and eroding public trust. HealthAI’s toolkit is designed to address these challenges by equipping local regulators with best practices for ethical AI use in healthcare, safeguarding against unintended consequences while promoting innovation. The toolkit includes guidance on bias detection, data protection, and transparency measures to ensure that AI serves the public good in healthcare.
“African countries must be active participants in shaping global AI regulations, particularly within the healthcare sector. If we do not address this gap now, the potential benefits of AI could be overshadowed by risks related to privacy, data misuse, and inequality,” said Dr. Baptista Leite. “Nigeria has an opportunity to collaborate with European and other international partners to create resilient regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with public safety in healthcare.”
The meetings with ECOWAS and Nigerian leaders highlighted the need for cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing, especially in aligning African AI policies with those of Europe. By adopting a unified approach, West African countries can ensure that their populations benefit from AI advancements in healthcare while maintaining ethical standards that prevent harm.
Currently, AI governance across ECOWAS countries is fragmented, with few standardized policies in place to regulate its development and deployment in healthcare. While countries like Nigeria have initiated discussions on data privacy and cybersecurity, there is no comprehensive regional framework that addresses AI’s unique challenges in healthcare, such as algorithmic transparency, data sovereignty, and cross-border data flows. These gaps create vulnerabilities, especially in critical sectors like healthcare and education, where unchecked AI systems could lead to privacy breaches, ethical concerns, and uneven access to technology. By developing a unified regulatory approach, ECOWAS can ensure that AI adoption across the region is both innovative and responsible within healthcare.
With the support of Mrs. Njide Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess & Founding Member of the Digital Transformations for Health Lab, there is a renewed commitment to addressing the critical need for an AI toolkit and awareness training for government agencies in Nigeria. “Establishing a sound regulatory framework for AI in healthcare is essential to safeguard our communities as we embrace these technological advancements,” Mrs. Ndili stated. “It is imperative that we prioritize ethical standards to protect our communities as we integrate AI into healthcare systems.”
She further emphasized, “By fostering a culture of awareness and training, we can empower government agencies to navigate the complexities of AI in healthcare and make informed decisions. This is not just about technology; it’s about building a sustainable health ecosystem that benefits everyone in our region.”
These advocacy initiatives signal the beginning of a strategic movement to bring ECOWAS countries into the global conversation on AI regulation in healthcare. As West African nations continue to innovate, there is a growing recognition that governance must keep pace with technological advances. By fostering partnerships between ECOWAS, European countries, and organizations like HealthAI, the region is poised to take a leading role in the responsible development and regulation of AI technologies in healthcare.