Africa imports 90% of assistive tech despite policy gains

Africa imports over 90% of assistive technology, leaving millions vulnerable despite policy progress and rising demand.

Sub-Saharan Africa imports more than 90% of its assistive technology products, according to a new report from Stellenbosch University. That dependence exposes the region to supply chain disruptions and shifts in donor priorities.

The report, commissioned by the Mastercard Foundation, analysed 523 sources across all 54 African countries. It found that policy activity has accelerated since 2016, with at least 38 countries adopting national strategies aligned with WHO and UN frameworks. But most policies remain aspirational. They lack adequate financing and monitoring systems. Africa is “policy-rich but implementation-poor,” the report said.

East and Southern Africa have built more resilient assistive technology ecosystems by strengthening links between governments, universities and civil society. West and Central Africa remain more reliant on donors and international partners, with weaker institutional integration limiting sustainable systems.

More than 200 million Africans require at least one assistive product. Only 10% to 25% of that need is being met across most countries. Demand is projected to double to 400 million people by 2050, driven by the continent’s youthful population and rising rates of chronic disease and injury.

Government-led programmes account for less than 15% of assistive technology distributed across the continent. Most countries lack dedicated budget lines or ring-fenced funding. Of the 42 manufacturers and innovators identified across Africa, only four receive stable government subsidies. Most rely on grants, donations and other unstable revenue streams.

Private-sector financing remains limited. Safaricom in Kenya and I&M Bank in Rwanda are rare exceptions. The report characterises Africa’s assistive technology financing landscape as one marked by donor dependence, high production costs, low insurance coverage and fragmented governance.

The consequences fall directly on the people who need these products most. “In countries where manufacturers rely on donations or unstable grant funding, users face inconsistent supply, long waiting times and limited device choice, often leaving them dependent on imported or poor-fit products,” the report said.

The winners: importers and foreign manufacturers who supply a captive market. The losers: millions of Africans with disabilities who wait for devices that never arrive, and local manufacturers who cannot compete without state support.

Bottom Line: Africa has the policies for assistive technology. It does not have the money, the manufacturing or the political will to deliver them.