African women innovators are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technologies to address critical challenges in healthcare and agriculture, with new tools helping to speed up disease diagnosis and improve potato production.
The innovations were presented by researchers from Uganda and Rwanda during a webinar organized through the Africa Science Dialogue, highlighting how locally developed technologies are being adapted to address health and food systems challenges across the continent.
In Uganda, Dr. Rose Nakasi, a researcher at the Makerere AI Health Lab and a professor at Makerere University, is leading the development of an AI-powered diagnostic system designed to make the detection of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and cervical cancer faster and more accurate.
Nakasi said the technology was developed in response to gaps in access to simple, fast and reliable diagnostic services, particularly in healthcare facilities with limited laboratory expertise.
“One of the key factors contributing to the increased severity of this burden is that we lack simple, rapid, accessible and accurate diagnostics,” Nakasi said.
The system, known as an ocular system, combines microscopes, smartphones and artificial intelligence to automate the analysis of patient samples. A 3D-printable adapter connects a smartphone to a microscope, allowing images of samples to be captured and analyzed using artificial intelligence models trained to identify disease-causing pathogens.
“If a disease is not accurately diagnosed, you will not receive appropriate treatment and appropriate care,” he said.
The researchers reported that the malaria model achieved a specificity of 92 percent, while the cervical cancer model recorded more than 94 percent accuracy.
The innovation also goes beyond research into practical healthcare delivery, with more than 150 laboratory technicians and 10 pathologists trained to use the system in more than 35 health centers in Uganda.
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In Rwanda, agroforestry and innovator Clémence Uwamutarambirwa is applying smart technology to improve potato production through her Smart Potato Greenhouse technology.
The system combines sensors, cloud-based analytics and a mobile app to allow farmers and greenhouse managers to remotely monitor growing conditions and respond to changes affecting their crops.
Sensors installed in the greenhouses continuously measure temperature, humidity and soil moisture, and the data is transmitted to a cloud platform for analysis. Farmers receive alerts on their mobile phones and can control irrigation remotely.
The technology also incorporates hydroponic production, allowing potatoes to be grown using water-based nutrient solutions instead of conventional soil.
Uwamutarambirwa said the soilless method increases potato seed production, conserves water and protects crops from soil-borne pathogens.
He added that feedback from greenhouse managers indicated that the technology had improved remote monitoring of production, temperature and humidity management and product safety.
The two projects demonstrate the potential for African researchers to develop technology adapted to local conditions rather than relying solely on solutions imported from elsewhere.
Dr Margaret Karembu, director of ISAAA AfriCenter and president of Africa Women for Biosciences, said greater participation of women in science and emerging technologies would require support from society at large.
“Increasing women’s participation in science and technology cannot be considered the sole responsibility of women. The support of men (as colleagues, supervisors, mentors, partners, institutional leaders and policy makers) is essential,” Karembu said.
She also called for stronger networks and more opportunities for women seeking to participate in science and innovation, and emphasized that membership of Africa Women for Biosciences should not be limited to those with formal training in biosciences.
“I want to emphasize something very important: it is not necessary to be a bioscientist to belong to the AWfB,” he said.
More than 50 participants participated in the webinar, including early scientists, agricultural researchers, policymakers, farmers, journalists, academics and industry representatives.
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