Malawian engineer and entrepreneur Sanga Kanthema is reshaping healthcare in southern Africa through biomedical innovation and robotics. Based in Blantyre, he leads Dolphin Health Innovation, a start-up designing smart medical devices for low-resource environments.

Kanthema, who works at the intersection of electronic engineering and equipment manufacturing, focuses on building tools that meet the realities of rural Africa. Since founding Dolphin Health Innovation in 2018, he has pushed to equip healthcare systems with telehealth technologies tailored for areas with weak infrastructure.

His company develops real-time ECG sensors that can transmit cardiac signals remotely, even in zones with limited connectivity. These devices rely on algorithmic data compression and intuitive mobile interfaces, allowing for continuous monitoring, early diagnosis, and remote intervention.

Kanthema also founded Qubix Robotics in 2022 to drive local manufacturing. The company builds CNC machines, 3D printers, and robotic systems to automate industrial production across healthcare, transport, and telecom sectors. Its mission: to strengthen Africa’s industrial independence.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Kanthema champions tech education. As a TME Education ambassador, he promotes electronics training in underserved regions. He also represents IdeaXme, a global network supporting socially-driven science and innovation.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum