M42 forms 10-year digital health and genomics alliance in Botswana
Under the partnership, M42 will support Botswana’s efforts to transform its healthcare system through digital health, genomics, precision medicine and workforce development.
UAE—M42, a global healthcare company focused on artificial intelligence (AI), technology and genomics, has entered Africa through a 10-year strategic partnership with Botswana’s Ministry of Health.
The agreement, signed in Gaborone, marks M42’s first health systems partnership in Africa and expands the company’s international healthcare activities into the continent.
Digital health and precision medicine
Under the partnership, M42 will support Botswana’s efforts to transform its healthcare system through digital health, genomics, precision medicine and workforce development.
The company will also work with local and regional health professionals to strengthen technical capacity and expand access to advanced healthcare solutions.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Botswana by Acting Permanent Secretary Dr Tshepo Machacha, in the presence of Minister of Health Dr Stephen Modise and Kareem Shahin, Chief Executive Officer of M42’s Digital Health Solutions platform and Group Chief Digital Officer.
In addition, M42 and Mubadala Bio, a life sciences company, will work with Botswana to improve the supply of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
The initiative aims to establish a more reliable and sustainable medical supply chain, improve access to essential health products, and make procurement faster and more efficient.
Supporting universal health coverage
The partnership follows Botswana Parliament’s approval of the National Health Insurance Policy on August 19, 2026.
Presented by Dr Modise, the policy seeks to advance universal health coverage (UHC) by ensuring that citizens can access affordable and equitable healthcare regardless of their income or geographic location.
Against this backdrop, the partnership brings together Botswana’s healthcare priorities and M42’s capabilities in clinical care, genomics, digital health, AI and capacity building.
The collaboration will therefore support the Ministry of Health as it works to strengthen healthcare delivery and develop a more responsive health system.
Dr Modise said the agreement would strengthen Botswana’s health security and improve the resilience of its medical supply chains.
He added that the partnership would help ensure that patients do not go without medicines and medical products because of avoidable procurement and supply delays.
“Through this partnership, we are opening a reliable gateway to medicines, medical supplies, and health products whenever and wherever the country needs them,” he said.
M42 expands healthcare footprint in Africa
Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group Chief Executive of M42, said the company has been expanding its healthcare capabilities across the Global South, where countries can adopt digital and AI-enabled health systems without relying solely on legacy infrastructure.
He said the Botswana agreement provides an opportunity for M42 to deploy its capabilities in digital health transformation, genomics, precision medicine and capacity development in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Shahin said M42 was privileged to partner with Botswana as it works to transform its healthcare system.
He said the company supports the Ministry’s goal of building a system that citizens can rely on, with consistent access to medicines, effective technologies and healthcare services across communities.
He added that M42 would work with Botswana’s Ministry of Health and healthcare professionals to support the country’s healthcare priorities and improve the health and well-being of its population.
The partnership combines medical supply-chain development with collaboration in digital health, genomics, and precision medicine as Botswana advances its healthcare transformation agenda.
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