Harnessing artificial intelligence for maternal health

When Sarah Moses (MSIT '25) joined Carnegie Mellon University Africa, she envisioned using technology to solve critical public health challenges across the continent. That vision has materialized in the form of AfyaWave Ltd, a health care startup she co-founded to increase access to quality health care through AI-enabled solutions.

AfyaWave Ltd, which means "health wave" in Swahili, is a healthcare solution that leverages technology to improve access to reliable medical information for underserved communities. Its core mission is to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients through AI-driven diagnostics.

"What inspired AfyaWave Ltd was the realization that so many people in my community were making health decisions based on misinformation or delayed access to care," said Moses, who is pursuing a master of science in information technology. "We wanted to create a tool that empowers individuals with trusted information while supporting health care providers in treating patients more efficiently."

AfyaWave Ltd is a startup that aims to reduce maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa with AI-powered ultrasound technology. Their lightweight, portable devices address barriers like the lack of ultrasound machines and trained personnel, helping health care providers quickly identify pregnancy risk factors. AfyaWave is working to promote equitable access to prenatal care and transform maternal health care delivery on the continent.

Moses said the idea gained momentum at the 2024 African Leadership University Healthcare Entrepreneurship Hackathon, where she and her team first met. That year's challenge theme centered around improving health care for African communities, particularly those that are underserved.

During the challenge, Moses and her team visited a Rwandan health care facility that did not offer ultrasound services to women—an issue the team decided to explore further, Moses said. In the months following the hackathon, the team's idea gained further momentum and the startup, AfyaWave Ltd, was born. Moses attributed the startup's success to the help of Kwame Norvixoxo of the Africa Health Collaborative, who helped to mentor and advise the team in the challenges, competitions, and opportunities that would follow.

Moses also said her course work at CMU-Africa helped her gain valuable problem-solving experience and taught her how to start a business. "While at CMU, I chose to blend both technology-oriented and entrepreneurial courses as a way to bridge knowledge gaps and gain more experience for the work we do," said Moses. "One of these courses was the ICT Entrepreneurship Seminar by Professor Jesse Thornburg, which was beneficial in better understanding the startup landscape and how to navigate common challenges."

"Sarah Moses exemplifies the kind of changemaker CMU-Africa strives to cultivate," said Stanley Mukasa, associate director of entrepreneurship at CMU-Africa’s Industry Innovation Lab (IIL). "Her team doesn't just build technology, they are building solutions that are rooted in empathy and a deep understanding of context."

AfyaWave Ltd. has earned recognition from the broader innovation ecosystem. The team is currently awaiting a go-ahead from the Rwanda Ministry of Health. With a focus on human-centered design and data privacy, the team is also exploring partnerships with local clinics, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and healthcare workers to expand its reach.

Moses attributes much of the startup's growth to the mentorship she's received. "Having access to a vibrant ecosystem of researchers, developers, and entrepreneurs has made all the difference," she said. "CMU-Africa and the IIL give you the space to experiment, to fail safely, and to build back smarter."

As AfyaWave Ltd scales its pilot and explores partnerships with local ministries and NGOs, Moses remains focused on impact over accolades.

"Winning third place at Hanga Pitchfest was a game-changer," Moses said. "It validated our work and opened doors to conversations with strategic stakeholders, including government agencies and health organizations that we had been trying to reach."

"My biggest hope is that AfyaWave Ltd successfully mitigates maternal mortality and saves lives," she said.
Sarah Moses' journey is a compelling example of how the blend of a world-class CMU-Africa education and hands-on entrepreneurial exposure equips students to transform academic excellence into real-world impact. With AfyaWave Ltd, she's addressing urgent health care challenges and effectively demonstrating the potential impact African innovators can make.