Amaonwu said the foundation’s partnership with MTN Group Foundation would use digital technology to provide pregnant women with reliable health information while supporting frontline health workers in making informed decisions.
The initiative, known as the Nigeria Maternal Health Multiplier, aims to reach 500,000 women, equip 5,000 healthcare workers with digital support tools and support 500 health facilities by 2030.
Amaonwu explained that pregnant women would be able to use mobile devices to seek guidance about symptoms and receive information on when to seek urgent medical attention. The tools are also expected to help health workers recognise warning signs, coordinate referrals and access clinical guidance.
The programme will include affordable devices, mobile data access and improved connectivity at selected primary healthcare facilities. According to the foundation, the goal is to ensure that women in rural and underserved communities can benefit from the technology, including those who face barriers to accessing healthcare.
The partnership involves an investment of about $25m between 2026 and 2030, shared equally by the Gates Foundation and MTN Group Foundation.
Amaonwu stressed that artificial intelligence would support, rather than replace, healthcare professionals. He said medical guidance provided through the tools would need to be grounded in reliable clinical information and carefully tested, particularly when adapted to Nigerian languages and dialects.
He added that the initiative would be evaluated to determine whether it improves early detection, referrals and access to appropriate care before the approach is expanded.
The programme is intended to complement existing government efforts to reduce maternal deaths, with the partners hoping its findings will help guide wider adoption of digital maternal healthcare in Nigeria.
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The Gates Foundation and MTN Group Foundation are partnering to deploy AI-powered maternal health tools in Nigeria, aiming to help women and healthcare workers identify pregnancy complications earlier. Artificial intelligence tools could help identify pregnancy complications earlier and improve access to maternal healthcare in Nigeria, according to Uche Amaonwu, the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria country director.Amaonwu said the foundation’s...
Key takeaways
- The Gates Foundation and MTN Group Foundation are partnering to deploy AI-powered maternal health tools in Nigeria, aiming to help women and healthcare workers identify pregnancy complications earlier.
- Artificial intelligence tools could help identify pregnancy complications earlier and improve access to maternal healthcare in Nigeria, according to Uche Amaonwu, the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria country director.Amaonwu said the foundation’s partnership with MTN Group Foundation would use digital technology to provide pregnant women with reliable health information while supporting frontline health workers in making informed decisions.The initiative, known as the Nigeria Maternal Health Multiplier, aims to reach 500,000 women, equip 5,000 healthcare workers with digital support tools and support 500 health facilities by 2030.Amaonwu explained that pregnant women would be able to use mobile devices to seek guidance about symptoms and receive information on when to seek urgent medical attention.
- The tools are also expected to help health workers recognise warning signs, coordinate referrals and access clinical guidance.The programme will include affordable devices, mobile data access and improved connectivity at selected primary healthcare facilities.
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The Gates Foundation and MTN Group Foundation are partnering to deploy AI-powered maternal health tools in Nigeria, aiming to help women and healthcare workers identify pregnancy complications earlier. Artificial intelligence tools could help identify pregnancy complications earlier and improve access to maternal healthcare in Nigeria, according to Uche Amaonwu, the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria country director.Amaonwu said the foundation’s...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 9, 2026
