Overview
UK-based AI firm digiLab has teamed up with Nigerian HealthTech startup KOYO to introduce an AI-driven app in sub-Saharan Africa, starting with Nigeria.
Addressing Healthcare Shortages
Nigeria is currently facing a significant healthcare challenge, including:
- A shortage of over 200,000 doctors.
- An estimated 125,000 preventable pediatric deaths annually due to diseases like malaria.
About the KOYO Navigate App
The KOYO Navigate app, utilizing digiLab’s Uncertainty Engine, is set to launch in Abuja in September 2025. It aims to provide:
- AI-guided consultations tailored for urban and peri-urban users, particularly working women and families.
- Integration of local data and guidance from the World Health Organization.
- Support for decision-making in areas affected by misinformation and limited access to diagnostics.
Key Features
The app offers several innovative features:
- Helps users determine if, when, and where to seek medical care.
- Explains the reasoning behind each medical recommendation.
- Includes uncertainty quantification to measure confidence in outputs.
Statements from Leadership
Thomas Cracknell, CEO of KOYO, emphasized:
“We’re not following the healthcare path of high-income countries. Africa leapfrogged landlines with smartphones, and we’re doing the same with healthcare access.”
Tim Dodwell, CEO of digiLab, added:
“This is healthcare reimagined – not replacing doctors, but scaling their reach in a way that’s locally relevant and globally significant.”
User Feedback and Future Plans
Early testing of the app has shown:
- 84% satisfaction rate among users.
- Users feel more comfortable discussing sensitive health issues compared to traditional clinical settings.
For the launch, additional features will include:
- Faster response times.
- Media upload options.
- 24/7 access to consultations.
Language Accessibility
The platform is currently available in:
- English
- Pidgin
- French
Plans are in place to add consultations in Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, the three most widely spoken languages in Nigeria.
Expansion Goals
The rollout aims to extend across Nigeria and into Gambia, with potential for global scaling.