OpenAI and the Gates Foundation have announced a Sh6.45 billion partnership aimed at expanding the use of artificial intelligence in primary healthcare systems across Africa. The initiative, known as Horizon 1000, seeks to support 1,000 clinics and their surrounding communities by 2028, with the first phase set to begin in Rwanda.
The programme will provide funding, technology, and technical support to help bring AI tools into everyday healthcare settings. While Rwanda will host the pilot phase, the broader goal is to strengthen leadership and medical expertise across the continent as countries look for ways to improve access to quality care.
OpenAI said the initiative was launched in response to the growing gap between rapid advances in artificial intelligence and its use in real-world settings. The company noted that while AI technology is progressing quickly, its benefits are not yet reaching many people, especially in healthcare.
According to OpenAI, this gap is most visible in health systems, where the challenge lies in turning advanced models into tools that can support routine care. Horizon 1000 is meant to help African governments and health leaders move beyond experimentation and toward practical use of AI in clinics and communities.
The company said the programme will support leaders who are already rethinking how healthcare can be delivered at scale using digital tools and artificial intelligence.
Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, said the value of AI would depend on how it is used in society.
“AI is going to be a scientific marvel no matter what, but for it to be a societal marvel, we’ve got to figure out ways that we use this incredible technology to improve people’s lives,” he said.
The statement noted that primary healthcare remains inaccessible to about half of the world’s population. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is made worse by a shortage of around 5.6 million health workers, placing heavy pressure on existing staff and exposing large gaps in care.
Wide differences in the quality of healthcare were also highlighted as a major cause of preventable deaths, pointing to the need for more consistent and reliable services.
Against this background, Horizon 1000 aims to help countries expand the reach of their health workforce while improving the quality and consistency of care. OpenAI said many governments and health leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa are already exploring how AI and digital tools can support frontline workers.
The tools are expected to help clinicians follow complex clinical guidelines and cut down on administrative tasks, giving them more time to focus on patients.
“In practice, AI tools can help frontline health workers navigate complex guidelines and reduce administrative burden, so clinicians can spend more time on care,” the statement said.
OpenAI also noted a growing demand from patients to take a more active role in managing their health. Many people, the company said, are already using AI systems to better understand their conditions and treatment options.
Horizon 1000 is presented as a partnership that puts local leadership first. OpenAI said it will work with African medical experts and decision-makers, providing resources and technical support so they can lead the shift from pilot projects to full deployment in clinics.
The company said progress will be measured by clear improvements in patient care and better working conditions for health professionals.
“We look forward to learning openly along the way and measuring success by what meaningfully improves care for patients and the health workforce who serve them,” the statement said.
Bill Gates also shared details of the initiative on the Gates Notes platform, confirming the Gates Foundation’s role in financing and supporting the programme.
By focusing on primary healthcare, OpenAI and the Gates Foundation said Horizon 1000 is meant to strengthen the core of health systems across Africa, using artificial intelligence as a practical tool to address long-standing challenges in access, quality, and workforce capacity.
