The Future of Laboratory Services in West Africa

Overview:

Laboratory services in West Africa are undergoing a transformation with the adoption of digital technologies in in-vitro diagnostics (IVD). The integration of software, algorithms, and applications has revolutionized data collection, storage, and analysis.

Regional efforts, led by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), have introduced frameworks to modernize laboratory systems. Collaborations with key partners, including the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), aim to enhance diagnostic services.

The West Africa IVD market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.22% from 2024-2032, driven by rising chronic diseases, the need

The Merger of WHX Lagos & WHX Labs Lagos 2025

This event will be the region’s most comprehensive healthcare and laboratory exhibition, attracting over 7,000 healthcare and laboratory professionals and featuring more than 500 exhibitors worldwide.

Digital Diagnostic Innovation and Automation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming public health surveillance and disease control in West Africa. AI-driven tools like genomic sequencing are advancing personalized medicine.

Example: In Ghana, digital X-ray equipment and CAD4TB, supported by the Ghana Health Service and WHO, have improved TB screening efforts 

Current State of Laboratory Services in West Africa

West African laboratories are evolving from diagnostics to preventive healthcare. Rising healthcare demands, technological progress, and demographic changes drive this growth, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana.

Investments in bioinformatics and skilled personnel are vital for sustainable progress. Local manufacturing and decentralized lab systems can improve outbreak responses in resource-limited settings. 

Importance of Modernising Labs to Meet Growing Demands

West African labs need strategies beyond crisis response for long-term success. While progress has been made in disease control, general services remain fragmented. National lab systems struggle to implement Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) effectively. Ghana’s efforts in HIV management show the importance of scaling lab services. Antiretroviral therapy (ART)  coverage for children was 43.59 in 2022, with prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) coverage at 84.83%. To meet the 2030 HIV eradication goal, lab services must expand in rural areas.

Programmes like the USAID-supported sample referral system aim to improve diagnostic efficiency. Modernising labs enhance healthcare delivery, strengthens disease control, and supports outbreak responses. It also aligns universal health coverage goals together with the Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Power of Digital Innovation in Labs

The digital revolution is transforming laboratory diagnostics into West Africa. Automation of specimen management, real-time monitoring of instrument functionality, plus advanced laboratory information systems revolutionise test reporting and diagnostics across laboratory networks.

US and West African scientists are collaborating to build a public health network for rapid detection of viral threats. The Sentinel research programme, active in Nigeria along with Sierra Leone, focuses on pathogen surveillance and supports a new genome center at Redeemer’s University. This centre, staffed by Nigerian scientists, studies pathogens like Lassa and Ebola with biosafety level 3 facilities.

Digital Innovations and Emerging Technologies

AI is driving progress in healthcare through precise as well as rapid disease diagnosis. In Nigeria, the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi has established a molecular PCR lab for HIV testing and other diagnostic assays.

At the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Datamaker’s AI-powered tool enhances polyp diagnosis during colonoscopy. Similarly, MAI Lab is advancing breast cancer care in Nigeria using AI. MinoHealth AI Labs supports doctors in Ghana with quicker diagnoses, alleviating healthcare demand. These innovations highlight the transformative potential of digital tools in healthcare across the region.

The impact of Laboratory Automation

The rapid advancement of technology is driving digital transformation in laboratories. This shift optimises workflows, enhances accuracy, and boosts efficiency, which enables labs to handle larger data volumes while meeting stricter compliance standards. MMALABS, a Ghanaian diagnostic chain, has launched advanced imaging services in Kumasi, improving patient care.

Dr. Stephen John’s use of AI-powered ultraportable x-ray machines for TB screening in Nigeria is another example of how technology is enhancing diagnostic capabilities in remote areas.

Digital transformation in clinical laboratories is enhancing data integrity and accuracy through AI-driven analytics and cloud-based solutions. This accelerates sample processing and analysis, reducing human error and improving reproducibility. Real-time updates, task coordination, and issue resolution improve communication and reduce downtime. Digital tools streamline resource management, align team efforts, and drive faster decision-making. Laboratory automation also improves operational efficiency by enabling data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics for supply management, eliminating operational silos and creating smoother workflow transitions.

Medical laboratories are essential to personalised medicine, which utilises genetic and molecular profiles to tailor treatments. The pandemic has underscored the importance of rapid diagnostic tests, with laboratories playing a central role in managing outbreaks.

Government Regulatory Frameworks and Policies

AI is gaining momentum across Africa, yet policies along with regulatory frameworks remain in early stages. To integrate AI effectively, African nations require strong, forward-thinking policies aligned with ethical values.

Ghana launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2023-2033 in October 2022, promoting responsible AI adoption for sustainable growth.

Nigeria unveiled its draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) in August 2024, guiding AI towards national goals such as job creation, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

Challenges and Solutions to Implement Digital Transformation

Digital transformation in laboratories offers numerous benefits, but it also presents challenges. Significant investments in technology and staff training are essential. Integrating legacy systems with new digital platforms requires careful planning. Change management plays a vital role in fostering a culture of innovation and aligns staff with organisational goals. Additionally, managing the vast amount of data generated by digital systems demands secure, scalable storage together with advanced data analytics.

Technology and Infrastructure

The adoption of AI and digital technologies in laboratory diagnostics across West Africa is key to enhancing patient care. Startups, like Ghana-based Redbird Health Tech, are transforming healthcare by integration of portable diagnostic devices for chronic disease monitoring in pharmacy retail spaces. This shift makes medical imaging plus testing more affordable and accessible.

AI regulation in Africa remains slow, with no dedicated AI laws in place. However, governance is gaining traction as countries begin to develop their own legal and policy frameworks. West Africa is making progress with strategies and standards focused on AI’s role in sustainable development. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is fostering dialogue on digital transformation, harmonising data protection laws, promoting infrastructure, and driving innovation. Collaboration at national, regional, and continental levels is essential for effective AI implementation, avoiding fragmented regulations that could hinder market growth and legal clarity.

West African Skills Labs’ Training and Upskilling Initiatives

Training laboratory technicians in West Africa aims to improve efficiency in sample collection, transportation, handling, and processing, reducing diagnostic turnaround times. However, the region faces challenges in training nurses as well as midwives, with limited educational materials and clinical equipment.

- The Classroom to Care (C2C) project seeks to enhance health worker training by providing health institutions with resources, modern materials, and curricula adapted to local needs.

- ASLM, Africa CDC, and BSBS hosted the first Bio-risk Management course in Senegal, certifying 16 participants from nine countries as Level 1 professionals.

- WHO, NPHIL, and the Ministry of Health held a training on genomic sequencing together with bioinformatics in Liberia, including a two-week intensive and a one-week practice session.

- Nigeria signed agreements with Siemens Healthineers, Tanit Medical Engineering, and Abbott Laboratories to enhance healthcare access, focusing on ultrasound assembly, training, and diagnostics.

Investments, International Funding/Grants and Partnerships

Investing in digital tools plus data management systems can improve service delivery, data sharing, and policymaking. Strategic alignment of donor funding with national health priorities is key to sustaining laboratory networks. Donors should focus on broader investments, shifting from disease-specific funding to strengthening overall laboratory systems.

- The West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) signed a second cooperation agreement, funded by Germany’s KfW Development Bank, to improve quality management systems in 15 ECOWAS countries.

- Africa CDC launched two projects, IGS and DETECT, co-funded by the European Union, to enhance Africa PGI 2.0 capacity for outbreak detection and data sharing.

- Grand Challenges Senegal and Grand Challenges Canada issued a funding call in December 2024 to improve health systems and address health issues in Senegal as well as the ECOWAS region.

- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ghana Health Service (GHS), and Japan’s government established mobile laboratories to support public health emergencies.

- Collaboration with GHPP LabTrain at BfArM strengthens laboratory capacities in West Africa, improving infrastructure, quality management systems, and training for analysts.

Future Directions

AI and machine learning revolutionises public health in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in West Africa, where they enhance efficiency as well as accuracy of laboratory services. These technologies are already improving disease detection, from infectious diseases like tuberculosis, HIV, cholera, and malaria, to enabling timely interventions along with better management of health conditions. By analysing complex data from health records, social media, and environmental sensors, AI/ML enable targeted screening, personalised treatment plans, and efficient resource allocation.

The future of laboratory diagnostics in West Africa looks promising. With investments in quality management systems and the establishment of partnerships such as the cooperation between WAHO, ASLM, together with Germany’s KfW Development Bank, significant improvements in lab infrastructure and training are already underway. The collaboration between the UNDP, Ghana Health Service, and Japan has also enhanced emergency preparedness with mobile laboratories.

Moreover, initiatives like the Classroom to Care (C2C) project and the training programmes supported by Africa CDC together with WHO ensure that the region is strengthening its workforce to meet future healthcare demands. These efforts will contribute to more robust, responsive healthcare systems in West Africa, capable of managing both infectious and non-communicable diseases effectively.

With all these developments, the region is poised for innovation along with sustainable healthcare growth. This gathering of local plus international manufacturers will add great value to the sector, providing cutting-edge tools and fostering collaboration to further enhance West Africa’s healthcare landscape.