By Emmanuel Antswen
A Nigerian agri-tech startup, Vet Konect in partnership with Nova Vet Family, a Dubai-based company has organised a maiden African Animal Health Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit 2026, on Monday in Makurdi.
Vet Konect Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Terese Akpem has urged governments, academia and the private sector to collaborate in accelerating artificial intelligence adoption to strengthen Africa’s animal health sector.
Akpem said Africa must embrace digital innovation to address the shortage of animal health professionals and improve access to quality veterinary services.
The CEO urged governments, universities, professional associations, technology companies and development partners to work together to ensure the continent was not left behind in the ongoing digital transformation.
According to him, AI should be embraced as a tool to strengthen veterinary practice while upholding ethical standards and professional responsibility.
Presenting a keynote address, Product Manager, Nova Vet Family, Dr Patrik Holmboe, demonstrated AI-powered medical scribes, clinical decision support systems and other digital solutions designed to improve efficiency in veterinary practice.
Holmboe said AI was intended to support, rather than replace, veterinarians by reducing administrative workload and allowing practitioners to devote more time to patient care.
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr Moses Arokoyo, stressed the need for improved digital infrastructure and stronger public-private partnerships to drive AI adoption across Africa.
Arokoyo said AI could significantly strengthen disease surveillance, improve outbreak preparedness and support evidence-based decision-making in the animal health sector.
He called for greater collaboration among governments, educational institutions, technology firms and private organisations to unlock the full potential of AI in veterinary medicine.
Panel discussions during the summit examined the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in Africa.
The experts advocated modernisation of veterinary education, development of indigenous AI solutions and preservation of ethics and clinical judgment.
Speakers also encouraged young veterinarians and students to acquire digital skills, embrace lifelong learning and remain adaptable in an increasingly technology-driven profession.
The organisers described the summit as the beginning of a broader movement to promote responsible AI adoption in Africa’s animal health sector through collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.
They expressed optimism that the initiative would equip veterinary professionals with the skills and partnerships required to address the continent’s unique animal health challenges and improve livestock production and disease management.
The two-day summit brought together veterinary professionals, researchers, educators, policymakers, students, technology innovators and industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to explore the role of AI in transforming veterinary medicine. NAN
