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Digital Transformation in Healthcare Business: Telemedicine, AI and Fintech in Nigeria vs High-Income Economies

Authors

  • Chibuzo Okechukwu Onah J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30324, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6116-3661
  • Ubalaeze Solomon Elechi Department of Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3474-1002

    elechiuba@gmail.com

  • Adekunle Fatai Adeoye Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6442-2992
  • Ofuegbe Samuel Bayo Jerry Colangelo College of Business, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6502-6687
  • Enibokun Theresa Orobator Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK
  • Joy Chinyere Elokaakwaeze Department of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Adetunji Adesanya Department of Accounting, Georgia Southern University, USA
  • Oluwafunmilayo E. O. Adetona Department of Chemical Pathology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • Timothy A. Laryea Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
  • Hafeez Olayiwola Oyebamiji Department of Business Administration, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Abstract

Digital health innovations accelerated globally in the post-COVID era, presenting opportunities and challenges for low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Nigeria’s recent health reforms and digital infrastructure policies signal intent to leapfrog persistent healthcare gaps. Using a socio-technical “rail–bed–app” lens (digital infrastructure → platforms → application layer) and an equity framework, we reviewed literature (2014–2025) on telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and health-fintech in Nigeria versus high-income comparators (USA’s Kaiser Permanente, UK’s NHS, Germany, and Singapore). Nigeria’s telemedicine uptake remains nascent, constrained by infrastructure and regulatory gaps, whereas HICs scaled virtual care broadly during COVID-19. Nigeria’s emerging AI health startups show promise but face regulatory and workforce challenges; HICs benefit from structured AI oversight (EU AI Act 2024) and extensive clinical integration. In health-fintech, Nigeria’s mobile micro-insurance schemes aim to expand coverage but struggle with trust and low enrollment, whereas HICs leverage mature open-banking ecosystems (PSD2 in the EU) to drive innovative payment models. Nigeria’s policy momentum is narrowing the intent–impact gap in digital health, yet enforceable standards, inclusive financing mechanisms, and strengthened governance are needed to ensure sustainable and equitable health outcomes.

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence Comparative Health Systems Digital Public Infrastructure Digital Transformation Health-Fintech Nigeria Healthcare Telemedicine

Article information

Journal

Journal of Economics, Business, and Commerce

Volume (Issue)

2(1), (2025)

Pages

200-213

Published

05-06-2025

How to Cite

Onah, C. O., Elechi, U. S., Adeoye, A. F., Ofuegbe, S. B., Orobator, E. T., Elokaakwaeze, J. C., Adesanya, A., Adetona, O. E. O., Laryea, T. A., & Oyebamiji, H. O. (2025). Digital Transformation in Healthcare Business: Telemedicine, AI and Fintech in Nigeria vs High-Income Economies. Journal of Economics, Business, and Commerce, 2(1), 200-213. https://doi.org/10.69739/jebc.v2i1.597

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