Salient Advisory studies innovations in healthtech across the African continent. This newsletter summarizes the most interesting news we read each month. Submissions are welcome. Feel free to share.
Ghana is accelerating AI adoption in health and digitizing healthcare access for travellers
Ghana’s Ministry of Health is developing a comprehensive National AI Health Policy and Guideline to provide a legal, ethical, and operational framework for AI adoption across the country’s healthcare system. The policy will address governance, data protection, digital infrastructure, workforce readiness, and regulatory oversight, and is being aligned with WHO, OECD, EU, and African Union standards.
In partnership with the African Medical Tourism Council, Ghana also launched Navala Travel Health, a digital healthcare platform connecting international travellers with licensed healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmacies. Travellers will be able to access telemedicine and in-person care, coordinate appointments and referrals, and receive support navigating local health systems through the platform.
Gates Foundation and OpenAI-backed Horizon 1000 expands into Kenya
The Horizon 1000 initiative by the Gates Foundation and OpenAI has expanded into Kenya, its second African country, beginning a co-creation phase with Amref Health Africa. AI-enabled tools designed to reduce administrative burden on frontline health workers without replacing clinical decision-making will be piloted across 300 primary facilities in Murang’a, Mombasa, and Bungoma counties. Launched earlier this year in Rwanda, the initiative aims to strengthen healthcare delivery on the continent by equipping 1,000 African primary healthcare clinics with AI tools by 2028.
Pharmaceutical supply chain innovators secure partnerships and financing to advance solutions
Botswana’s Ministry of Heath signed a 10-year health systems partnership with M42, an Abu Dhabi-based global health company, to enhance pharmaceutical and medical equipment supply, improve procurement efficiency and build a more reliable medical supply chain. The agreement also covers digital health transformation, genomics and precision medicine.
Dawa Mkononi, a Tanzanian pharmaceutical technology company, received an undisclosed early-stage investment from Africa Health Ventures to scale its digital medicine distribution platform across Tanzania. Dawa Mkononi connects healthcare providers with pharmaceutical suppliers through a mobile app, and its Dawa Kwanza credit program, built with Vodacom Tanzania and NCBA Bank Tanzania, allows eligible health facilities to receive stock immediately and repay within 28 days. The company serves over 3,500 health facilities from distribution hubs in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Zanzibar.
In Nigeria, DrugStoc, a B2B pharmaceutical supply chain company, has joined the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria‘s Health Guardians network to strengthen pharmaceutical access, supply chain efficiency, digital health, healthcare financing, and pharmacy-led care across the country. DrugStoc’s platforms currently serve more than 4,000 healthcare providers.
Nigerian healthtech startups are turning university campuses into digital health access points
GoMed Nigeria, in partnership with UNFPA and the Lagos State Government, launched a digital self-care platform at the University of Lagos, giving students access to free contraceptives and reproductive health commodities, confidential pharmacist consultations, and discreet on-campus delivery. The platform connects students to UNFPA’s SoftLife 247 and U-Plan professional guidance services, addressing cost, stigma, and confidentiality concerns.
Mobihealth International, a telemedicine company, launched its Telehealth Champions Programme at the University of Lagos, combining its 24/7 digital healthcare platform with the university pharmacy’s physical services through a “Click & Brick” model. Students and staff can consult doctors, access specialists, receive e-prescriptions, and get medication delivered on campus.
Both companies plan to extend their models to additional Nigerian tertiary institutions.
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