Darlington Akogo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of minoHealth AI Labs, has been acknowledged as a recipient of the 2026 Peres Heritage Initiative Award. The award, now in its 10th edition, honors the legacy of Shimon Peres, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President and Prime Minister of Israel. The award recognizes young innovators under 35 using technology, AI, and social impact to address global challenges.
The 2026 Peres Heritage Initiative Award was presented by Chemi Peres, Shimon Peres' son, co-founder of Pitango Venture Capital, and Chairman of the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation. The award was presented at this year's Cernobbio Forum, a gathering of heads of state, Nobel laureates, and global business leaders for closed-door discussions on economics, geopolitics, and technology. Darlington was honored alongside two fellow innovators: Tomer Cohen, Co-Founder of Tech2Peace, and Benedetta Margrethe Cattani, Founder and CEO of Ecosmic.
The Cernobbio Forum, now in its 52nd year, is one of the world's most exclusive gatherings, often called the "Italian Davos". Past attendees include Joe Biden, Former President of the United States, Hillary Clinton, Former US Secretary of State, and Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General. This year's edition featured Italian President Sergio Mattarella and PM Giorgia Meloni, among others.
Darlington's work using AI to expand access to quality healthcare reflects the growing role African innovation is playing in shaping the future of global health. The CEO of minoHealth AI Labs expressed deep appreciation for the recognition and adjudged recipient of the 2026 Peres Heritage Initiative Award. He disclosed that the award belongs to every clinician, engineer, and partner who believes technology should reach the people who need it most.
Healthcare's greatest bottleneck isn't talent — it's access, according to Darlington. He added that the mission at minoHealth AI Labs is to close that gap, starting from Africa and for the world. The Cernobbio Forum has long been a place where the world's leaders confront its biggest challenges. That a solution built in Africa stood on that stage is a signal of where the next chapter of global innovation is heading — and Africa will not just be part of that story; we intend to write it.
On the way forward, Darlington advocated that this recognition is a mandate, not a finish line. He plans to scale up the Generative AI medical system, Moremi AI, to more hospitals and clinics across Africa and globally. Darlington also intends to deepen partnerships with the global health and technology community and invest in the next generation of African innovators building world-class solutions at home.
Darlington paid glowing tribute to The European House-Ambrosetti, the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation, and Chemi Peres for this honour. He congratulated fellow awardees, Tomer and Benedetta, and emphasized that the work continues. Darlington acknowledged that "AI for better, more accessible healthcare — from Africa to the world."
Key points
- Darlington Akogo, Founder and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, received the 2026 Peres Heritage Initiative Award for his work using AI to expand access to quality healthcare.
- The award recognizes young innovators under 35 using technology, AI, and social impact to address global challenges.
- Darlington plans to scale up the Generative AI medical system, Moremi AI, to more hospitals and clinics across Africa and globally.
