Technology and Innovation in Midwifery Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities and Challenges for Maternal and Newborn Health

Abstract Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to experience some of the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates globally, driven by limited access to skilled care, shortages of trained health personnel, and inadequate health system infrastructure (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Midwives, as frontline maternal health providers, are uniquely positioned to address these gaps. In recent years, technological innovations from mobile health (mHealth) applications and telemedicine platforms to portable diagnostic devices and e-learning tools have emerged as transformative opportunities to strengthen midwifery practice in the region (UNFPA, 2021; Bila et al., 2022). This article explores the integration of technology and innovation into midwifery practice in SSA through a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature, program evaluations, and selected case studies from Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. The analysis identifies significant opportunities, including enhanced access to care for rural populations, improved clinical decision-making, strengthened data collection and monitoring, expanded training capacity, and increased community engagement through digital health communication (Amoakoh-Coleman et al., 2023; Yadav et al., 2022). However, the adoption of these innovations faces persistent challenges. Key barriers include limited digital infrastructure, inconsistent policy and regulatory frameworks, high implementation costs, low digital literacy among health workers, cultural resistance to technology-based care, and concerns over data privacy (Till et al., 2023; Owhor and Adeniyi., 2023). The findings underscore that while technology has the potential to amplify the benefits of midwifery-led care, sustainable impact will require targeted investments in digital infrastructure, capacity building for midwives, integration into national maternal health strategies, and multi-sectoral collaboration between governments, development partners, and the private sector. Harnessing technology effectively could accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3, reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths, and advance equitable, woman-centered care across SSA.