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Standards and Interoperability Lab (SIL) SIL supports the adoption of data exchange standards in the development, testing, and implementation of health systems to improve interoperability and advance digital transformation across Africa’s healthcare infrastructure.

SIL Program Introduction

The Standards and Interoperability Lab (SIL) is a regional initiative led by HELINA and hosted by the HealthTech Hub Africa (HTHA).

SIL supports the adoption of data exchange standards in the development, testing, and implementation of health systems to improve interoperability and advance digital transformation across Africa’s healthcare infrastructure.

By fostering collaboration between governments, innovators, and technical experts, SIL creates an enabling environment for scalable, standards-based digital health innovations.

SIL Objectives

Establish a central platform to support interoperability through the adoption of health data standards such as HL7 FHIR, IHE profiles, and OpenHIE.

Enable real-world testing and validation of digital health solutions by Ministries of Health, startups, and implementing partners through a trusted sandbox environment.

Support countries to align their digital health strategies and regulatory frameworks with continental and global standards to ensure sustainability, compliance, and scale.

Foster a regional Community of Practice to support peer learning, collaboration, and alignment across national and regional stakeholders.

Build technical capacity for governments, startups, and implementers to design, deploy, and maintain standards-based digital health systems.

The SIL Program achieves this in 3 ways

Capacity Building

SIL provides structured, competency-based training for startups, implementers, and public institutions to build knowledge in digital health standards, architecture, and compliance readiness.

Solution Testing

 Through its regional sandbox, SIL enables validation of digital health solutions for conformance to standards like HL7 FHIR, OpenHIE, and IHE.

Ecosystem Engagement

SIL convenes a regional community of practice to promote alignment, share learnings, and strengthen multisectoral collaboration on health data interoperability.

Desired Outcomes

Improved healthcare delivery through seamless data exchange

Strengthened public health surveillance enabled by interoperable systems

Local capacity built for standards-based implementation and support

Stimulated digital innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities across the continent

An inclusive ecosystem that supports equitable access to health through digital tools

Components of the SIL Program

1. Teaming

A regional Community of Practice, supporting peer learning and stakeholder alignment across countries and organizations

2. Tooling

 Development and deployment of shared testing infrastructure and interoperability toolkits

3. Testing

A sandbox environment for structured validation of digital health solutions

4. Training

A blended learning approach (online and in-person), delivering modular training linked to real-world digital health use cases

SIL Governance and Structure

SIL is implemented under the leadership of HELINA and operationalized through HTHA in close collaboration with Africa CDC, Rwanda Health Informatics Alliance (RHIA), Ministries of Health, and technical partners. Its structure combines regional oversight with in-country implementation, supported by technical advisors and a growing network of partners across Africa.

Use Cases & Testing Themes

Maternal & Child Health data exchange

Cross-border disease surveillance

Health worker and facility registries

Real-time client record sharing

Use cases are prioritized in consultation with Africa CDC and country stakeholders.

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