TLDR: Rwanda is prioritizing the development of local Artificial Intelligence (AI) models for its healthcare sector, moving beyond mere consumption of foreign technologies. Experts emphasize this approach is crucial for data sensitivity, national sovereignty in the AI revolution, and ensuring AI tools are culturally and linguistically relevant, particularly with the launch of the National AI Policy in 2023 and the success of Kinyarwanda-based AI diagnostic tools.
Rwanda is making a strategic shift in its approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with a strong emphasis on innovating homegrown models rather than solely relying on external solutions. This critical stance was highlighted during an X Space conversation titled “Innovation versus Ethics: AI Dilemma in Healthcare,” hosted by The New Times on July 17, 2025. Experts underscored the importance of this direction due to the sensitive nature of healthcare data and the imperative for Rwanda to avoid lagging in the global AI revolution.
Consolata Nakure, Project Manager at Rwanda ICT Chamber, affirmed the significant strides the country is making in establishing a foundation for AI and innovation within healthcare, particularly through robust research efforts in the science and technology sector. A cornerstone of this progress is the National AI Policy, launched in 2023, which aims to position Rwanda as a leading African hub for the experimentation, development, and deployment of trustworthy and scalable AI technologies tailored for the continent. Nakure stated, “The government’s support has been key, especially with the development of a national AI policy. That gives direction so we are not just building blindly, IT professionals now have a framework to guide their AI solutions.”
Despite the robust policy framework, Dr. Thierry Sebakunzi, Technical Advisor on Climate and Health, and Digital Health at the Ministry of Health, cautioned that governance alone is insufficient. He stressed the need for substantial investment in capacity building, not only for medical professionals like doctors and nurses but also for the creators of AI solutions. Dr. Sebakunzi articulated, “For Rwanda to build ethical and scalable AI in healthcare, we need to invest in capacity building—not just for doctors and nurses, but also for the people creating the AI.” He further emphasized, “We shouldn’t settle for being passive users of imported models. Let’s strive to innovate, to understand these systems deeply, and build from the ground up where possible. That’s how we ensure accountability and real progress.” This approach is vital for managing sensitive healthcare data and developing the necessary data infrastructure to ensure national access and control.
Rwanda has already demonstrated tangible success in integrating AI into its healthcare system. AI-powered decision support tools, developed in partnership with Digital Umuganda, utilize locally trained language models in Kinyarwanda to assist in disease diagnosis. These tools have remarkably increased diagnostic accuracy from 8% to 71%, significantly improving the efficiency of community health workers. Samuel Rutunda, Chief Technology Officer at Digital Umuganda, highlighted the cultural and practical importance of Kinyarwanda-based algorithms. “If our languages remain underrepresented in AI tools like digital health assistants or robot doctors, we risk being left behind. In Rwanda, 76 per cent of the population speaks only Kinyarwanda. If these tools don’t speak our language, they can’t serve our people,” Rutunda explained, adding that “language is not just about communication, it is culture and it is key to AI adoption.”
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The country’s commitment to healthcare access and innovation is evident in its achievement of universal health coverage and the strengthening of its healthcare workforce over the past three decades. Beyond diagnosis, AI is also being deployed for public health initiatives, such as the Mpox skin image detection AI tool used at key border entry points, complementing molecular screening methods for early detection and outbreak control. The national AI policy projects that AI can boost productivity and improve service delivery across all economic sectors, with an estimated potential of $589 million for Rwanda.
