AI-Powered Start-Up DataPathology Pioneers Accessible Cancer Diagnosis in Africa

The broader message emerging from DataPathology’s journey is clear: innovation is not just a tool—it is a catalyst for equity.

The African continent, rapidly evolving and brimming with potential, is at a critical juncture where investment in healthcare infrastructure and innovation is no longer optional but essential. As Africa prepares for the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Annual Meetings scheduled from May 26 to 30, 2025, in Abidjan, the spotlight will shine on a pressing question: Can innovation democratize access to healthcare across Africa?

Among the trailblazers offering a resounding “yes” is DataPathology, a Moroccan start-up reimagining cervical cancer diagnosis through artificial intelligence (AI) and medical data digitisation. As the continent gears up to discuss the overarching theme of “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” stories like DataPathology's stand as tangible evidence of tech-driven development in action.

From Personal Tragedy to Continental Mission

The story of DataPathology begins with a personal loss. Dr. Hicham El Attar, a pathologist based in El Jadida, Morocco, lost his mother to cervical cancer—a disease that ranks as the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women on the continent. Deeply affected by this loss, Dr. El Attar resolved to develop a solution that could offer early and accessible diagnosis for cervical cancer, especially in underserved regions.

In 2020, he partnered with Mohammed El Khannoussi, an expert in data systems, to co-found DataPathology. Their shared vision: to harness AI and digital pathology to make faster, more accurate diagnostics available to a broader population.

How AI-PAP is Transforming Cervical Cancer Screening

At the heart of the company’s innovation lies the AI-PAP solution—a groundbreaking system that uses a sampling kit combined with a digital platform. This allows health professionals, including gynaecologists, midwives, general practitioners, and laboratory technicians, to collect samples and input data directly into a cloud-based system.

Once the sample is recorded and coded on the digital platform, it is sent to one of several connected laboratories in the network for advanced analysis. Here, AI algorithms scan tissue images to detect cancerous changes with exceptional speed and precision. Results are returned within two to three days, compared to the traditional method which could take weeks.

This speed and scale are revolutionizing cervical cancer screening in Africa. “The platform we use can process up to 250 tests per day, compared to just 10 in the past,” Dr. El Attar shares. “We owe this leap forward to artificial intelligence and digitisation.”

Accessibility, Affordability, and Scale

Affordability remains a critical element of the DataPathology mission. A typical screening test through their system costs around USD 100, but this upfront cost has profound implications. “It can prevent cancer treatments that may cost USD 5,000 to 20,000,” explains Dr. El Attar. The company hopes that as adoption scales, the test could eventually become free for patients.

To extend the reach of this solution, DataPathology is actively building a network of connected laboratories across the continent. With operational sites expanding from Morocco to Kinshasa (DR Congo) and Dakar (Senegal), the start-up is laying the groundwork for a pan-African health innovation infrastructure.

In June 2023, DataPathology secured USD 1 million in funding from the Azur Innovation Fund, an initiative backed by the African Development Bank. This injection of capital is accelerating its expansion and helping build partnerships with public health agencies, banks, insurers, and policymakers.

Aligning with Global Health Goals

DataPathology’s mission aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strategic goals for eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. These goals include:

• Vaccinating 90% of girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV)

• Screening 70% of women of reproductive age

• Treating 90% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer

While vaccination is the first line of defense, early diagnosis remains critical. In many African countries, lack of diagnostic infrastructure hinders timely detection. Dr. El Attar emphasizes that progress requires “strategies that bring together all stakeholders: public and private sectors, development banks, insurance providers, and international partners.”

Toward a Healthier, More Equitable Africa

The broader message emerging from DataPathology’s journey is clear: innovation is not just a tool—it is a catalyst for equity. By lowering diagnostic costs, expanding reach, and improving accuracy, the company is reshaping what is possible in African healthcare.

As AfDB’s 2025 Annual Meetings explore how to better leverage Africa’s capital for its people, DataPathology serves as a living case study in how investment in innovation can yield life-saving, scalable impact.

In Dr. El Attar’s words, “Our mission is to improve access to quality healthcare and save lives by diagnosing cancer earlier.” Through courage, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology, DataPathology is doing just that—turning loss into legacy, and innovation into inclusion.