Computer Science editorial
Open AccessOA2026
Use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in diabetes management in Africa: opportunities, challenges, and future prospects
This narrative review examines the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in African diabetes care, highlighting significant barriers such as cost, infrastructure, and workforce training while noting emerging clinical trials in South Africa, Kenya, and Malawi that demonstrate feasibility and clinical benefits.
M. Olamoyegun; O. D. Olamoyegun; A. Akinlade; O. O. Saliu; T. A. Adeyemi· Cardiovascular Diabetology· 2026· DOI 10.1186/s40842-026-00310-7
The core problem
Diabetes mellitus represents a growing public health crisis across Africa, with prevalence rates increasing due to urbanization, lifestyle transitions, and epidemiological transition. Despite numerous technological advances in diabetes management, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), access to these innovations remains limited across the continent. This narrative review examines the current state, opportunities, challenges, and prospects of CGM technology in African diabetes care, with emphasis on the socioeconomic, infrastructural, and cultural factors influencing implementation.
Innovation
A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature, clinical trials, and implementation studies from African contexts was conducted, incorporating evidence on CGM technology, diabetes epidemiology, healthcare systems, and policy frameworks across African nations.
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus represents a growing public health crisis across Africa, with prevalence rates increasing due to urbanization, lifestyle transitions, and epidemiological transition. Despite numerous technological advances in diabetes management, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), access to these innovations remains limited across the continent. This narrative review examines the current state, opportunities, challenges, and prospects of CGM technology in African diabetes care, with emphasis on the socioeconomic, infrastructural, and cultural factors influencing implementation.
Why it matters
While CGM holds important potential at transforming African diabetes care, successful integration requires multisectoral collaboration, innovative financing mechanisms, capacity building, and feasible implementation strategies. Policy frameworks that support equitable access, regulatory harmonization, and sustainable scale-up models are essential for realizing CGM’s full potential across the continent.
Who should read this
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