Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Secures Horizon Europe Grant for AI-Powered Parasitic Disease Diagnosis
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, has made history by securing a prestigious €5 million grant from the European Union’s Horizon Europe EDCTP3 programme. The funding is to develop an AI-powered microscope for diagnosing parasitic diseases such as African trypanosomiasis, malaria, leishmaniasis, and filariasis—especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
This groundbreaking project, named MultiplexAI, is one of only four selected out of 240 proposals under the theme “Innovative Digital Health Solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.” It marks the first Horizon Europe-funded digital health project hosted at ABU, setting a new benchmark for digital health innovation on the continent.
The Scientific Project Lead, Dr. Gloria Dada Chechet, a Reader in the Department of Biochemistry at ABU and a molecular parasitologist, leads the project under the Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB). With deep expertise in diagnostics and global health, she brings notable international recognition and fellowships for research on neglected tropical diseases and women in science.
The AI-powered tool is designed for use with only a microscope, smartphone, and app, enabling community health workers to accurately detect multiple infections on-site. This leap in technology aligns with Nigeria’s digital transformation goals and strengthens ABU’s global research visibility.
This achievement places ABU among Africa’s leading universities in AI-driven health research and reflects the institution’s strong commitment to high-impact international collaboration.
