Smart Applications International Ltd (Smart) has launched Smart Detect AI, a claims intelligence platform the company says will help insurers and healthcare providers detect fraud, waste and abuse (FWA), reduce preventable claim rejections and improve the efficiency of healthcare claims management.

The Nairobi-headquartered health technology firm said the solution was unveiled on May 11, 2026, during the 5th Smart Summit held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. Smart said the platform analyses claims before and after submission using machine learning, behavioural analytics and clinical logic.

The launch comes as healthcare payers and providers in Kenya and across the region continue to contend with rising claim volumes, disputed bills and administrative errors that can strain cash flow for hospitals and increase payout pressure for insurers. In its statement, Smart said fraud schemes are often embedded in “normal-looking claims,” making them difficult to detect using traditional rule-based systems.

Smart also linked a significant share of claim rejections to preventable quality issues such as incomplete documentation, incorrect coding and inconsistencies identified only after submission. The company said these issues affect revenue predictability for providers and add operational cost across the ecosystem.

For insurers, Smart said Smart Detect AI supports post-submission risk detection by identifying “unusual billing patterns, potential member-provider collusion, abnormal visit frequencies, clinical inconsistencies, and location anomalies.” Smart said this is intended to enable earlier detection of hidden risks and more targeted investigations, reducing financial leakage.

For healthcare providers, Smart said the tool supports pre-submission claim validation by flagging errors such as missing documentation, incorrect coding, benefit mismatches, unjustified procedures and incomplete clinical rationale. Smart said improving claim quality at the source can increase first-pass approvals, lower rejection rates and protect cash flow.

Unlike traditional tools that may assess claims in isolation, Smart said Smart Detect AI evaluates patterns across providers, patients and time to generate what it described as “more accurate, explainable and actionable intelligence.” The company said this approach is aimed at generating deeper insights into billing behaviour and patient journeys.

“Healthcare systems today process claims at scale, but critical risks often remain hidden. Smart Detect AI introduces a new level of intelligence that enables stakeholders to move from reactive to proactive claims intelligence — strengthening transparency, improving efficiency, and ultimately protecting the integrity of healthcare systems,” said Barbara Simiyu, Head of Data Analytics at Smart Applications International, speaking at the launch.

In the Kenyan context, claims quality and fraud detection tools have become a growing area for investment as insurers tighten controls and providers seek faster reimbursement cycles. Claims analytics also supports wider efforts to improve financial integrity in health systems, particularly as digital health records and electronic claims processing expand in both public and private healthcare.

For the regional health technology market, the launch underscores how local firms are increasingly applying artificial intelligence and analytics to operational problems traditionally managed through manual audits and rules engines. If adopted at scale, such platforms could shift how payers and providers prioritise investigations, monitor provider performance and manage utilisation trends.

Smart said the next phase will be deployment among stakeholders across Kenya and Africa, targeting both insurers and healthcare providers. The company did not disclose pricing, rollout timelines or current customer uptake in its statement.

Smart Applications International said it is an ISO-certified healthcare technology company headquartered in Nairobi, delivering digital health, biometric identity and analytics platforms across Africa, and working with governments, healthcare providers, insurers and development organisations.

Smart Applications International, a Nairobi-headquartered healthcare technology company, has won the Product and Service Innovation of the Year award at the 3i International Conference 2026, the firm said in a press release dated April 27, 2026.

According to the company, the award was presented at the 3i International Conference 2026, a global forum convened by the Insurers Association of Mauritius focused on the future of insurance and healthcare, including the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and insurer–provider collaboration.

The recognition adds to the profile of Kenyan health-tech in regional and international markets at a time when insurers and healthcare providers are investing in digitised claims management, fraud detection, identity systems and data-driven oversight. In Kenya, these themes mirror broader sector priorities such as reducing claims leakage, improving turnaround times and strengthening accountability across provider networks.

Smart Applications International said this year’s conference discussions centred on “the growing role of artificial intelligence, the need for stronger insurer–provider collaboration, and the importance of unlocking value through integrated digital ecosystems.”

The company said it was represented at the Mauritius forum by Harrison Muiru, Group Managing Director; Esther Muiruri, Group Director, Insurance Business; and Yan Jouan, Country Manager, Mauritius. It said its delegation contributed to discussions on AI adoption in healthcare and the role of digital platforms in improving efficiency within insurance value chains.

“This recognition is a strong validation of our commitment to delivering meaningful, technology-led transformation in healthcare and insurance. As systems grow in complexity, the need for intelligent, integrated platforms becomes even more critical,” Harrison Muiru, Group Managing Director, Smart Applications International, said in the statement.

Muiru added that the company’s focus is on “building solutions that not only improve efficiency, but also strengthen trust, transparency, and collaboration across the entire ecosystem,” according to the press release.

Yan Jouan, Country Manager, Mauritius, said resilient healthcare systems require “a combination of intelligent digital infrastructure and strong local expertise,” and pointed to MediSmart and SmartInsure as tools that can help insurers automate processes while maintaining human oversight, the company said.

Smart Applications International said the award reflects its “growing footprint in international markets” and its work supporting “seamless service delivery,” improved claims management and data-led decision-making through platforms including MediSmart and Smart Insure.

For Kenya’s insurance and healthcare sectors, the company’s emphasis on integrated digital ecosystems aligns with increasing pressure on insurers to manage medical costs and improve customer experience, while providers face demands for faster approvals, better data quality and stronger compliance controls. Industry players in East Africa have also been testing AI-driven tools to address operational bottlenecks, though adoption often depends on interoperability with existing systems and regulatory expectations around data privacy and clinical governance.

In its company backgrounder, Smart Applications International described itself as an ISO-certified healthcare technology company headquartered in Nairobi, delivering digital health, biometric identity and analytics platforms across Africa. It said it works with governments, healthcare providers, insurers and development organisations to improve service delivery and expand access to essential services.

The company did not disclose financial terms linked to the award or provide metrics on adoption of its platforms. It also did not announce new contracts or market expansion timelines in the statement.

Smart Applications International said it expects continued focus globally on practical applications of AI and digital technologies in insurance and healthcare, positioning integrated platforms as central to future system improvements.