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

Khaoula Ben Ahmed uses innovation to promote independence. Through her company, she merges technology and design to improve daily life for people with disabilities.

Ben Ahmed is a Tunisian entrepreneur and engineer. She co-founded and leads GEWINNER, a company that builds mobility solutions for people facing physical challenges.

She started GEWINNER in 2019 with Ghofrane Ayari, Souleima Ben Temime, and Sirine Ayari. The team develops advanced products using artificial intelligence, electronic design, and ergonomic principles. GEWINNER aims to boost autonomy and quality of life for people with limited mobility by putting cutting-edge technology to work.

The company’s top product, MOOVOBRAIN, marks a breakthrough in Tunisia’s medical equipment sector. MOOVOBRAIN is an intelligent control system installed in standard electric wheelchairs. It lets users steer their chairs using brain signals or eye movements, thanks to electroencephalogram (EEG) and eye-tracking technologies. This system gives new options to people with severe mobility challenges.

The device offers multiple control modes. Users can guide their wheelchairs with facial expressions—like smiles, blinks, or head movements—or by voice command. It also retains classic joystick controls for those who prefer traditional use. All system features operate through a dedicated mobile app, granting remote access to technical support, product customization, and maintenance.

Ben Ahmed’s journey began at the University of Tunis El Manar, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering in 2017. She completed a master’s in research, biophysics, radiophysics, and medical imaging at the Higher Institute of Medical Technologies of Tunis in 2019. In 2021, she added a master’s in innovation management from Carthage Business School.

Her work has won major recognition. In 2021, Managers and Huawei named her Female Entrepreneur of the Year in technology. In 2024, she and her team secured third place in the Young Inventors Prize from the European Patent Office’s European Inventor Award.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

African governments push digital transformation to modernize healthcare. Computerized patient records (CPRs) emerge as a key tool in this effort. Although adoption remains uneven, countries make steady progress amid growing digital public services.

Consulting firm McKinsey & Company reported in 2023 that digital health tools including teleconsultations, CPRs, and chronic disease apps could reduce African health expenditures by up to 15%. This cost-saving potential, combined with the need to upgrade healthcare, drives government interest in CPRs. These systems now form the backbone of many national e-health strategies.

CPRs centralize and secure medical data. They improve patient follow-up, coordinate care, and reduce medical errors. By replacing paper records, which often cause information loss and delays, CPRs address urgent modernization needs.

Beyond care quality, CPRs supply health authorities with real-time data. This data helps anticipate, monitor, and manage epidemics. It also supports public health policy decisions.

Pilot Projects Underway in Several Countries

Several countries run pilot CPR projects. Côte d’Ivoire’s health facilities with CPRs generated over CFA1.25 billion ($2.2 million) in tracked medical revenue in 2024, according to the Directorate of IT and Digital Health. More than 268 facilities connect to the Hospital Information System (HIS) and CPR.

Senegal, Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya have launched similar systems. Nigeria currently tests interoperability between CPRs and its national health insurance database.

A Rapidly Growing Global Market

The global electronic medical records market grows rapidly. Market intelligence firm Mordor Intelligence projects it will reach $42.1 billion by 2029, up from $32.8 billion in 2024, with a 5.11% annual growth rate. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated this trend by highlighting the need for fast, reliable, and secure clinical data access.

Technological advances, political will, and wider accessibility drive this growth—even in low- and middle-income countries.

Persistent Challenges to Overcome

Despite potential, Africa faces major hurdles. Limited internet access, especially in rural areas, remains a top barrier. The International Telecommunication Union reported only 38% of Africans had internet access in 2024. Training healthcare workers in digital skills also lags. Without it, CPR reliability and adoption suffer. Data protection poses another challenge. Only 40 African countries have personal data protection laws, and cybersecurity remains weak. Patient and professional trust depends on securing medical information.

Towards Pan-African Governance of Digital Health

Experts call for pan-African coordination to overcome these challenges. Harmonizing standards, ensuring system interoperability, and setting common data security rules would create a strong foundation for sustainable e-health.

Widespread CPR adoption could transform African healthcare—if governments invest in digital infrastructure, train professionals, and protect data. CPRs must become more than technology tools; they should form the backbone of modern, resilient, and inclusive public health policies.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Abdulkadir Suleiman Lapai builds and leads several tech companies in Nigeria. He creates digital tools that improve how schools and healthcare centers operate, always focusing on local needs.

A Nigerian software engineer and entrepreneur, Lapai plays a key role in growing his country’s tech sector. He leads Tespire, a company he founded to expand digital access in education and healthcare.

Lapai and Umar Madugu started Tespire in 2022. The company equips private Nigerian schools with internet, tablets, and management software. Tespire aims to modernize education and cut financial losses caused by poor tuition fee management. Its platform speeds up payment collection, improves communication between schools and parents, and boosts administrative transparency.

Tespire says it has generated over $12 million in revenue for partner schools and improved their administrative efficiency by 80%. In May 2025, Alternative Bank funded Tespire’s new health research program, Asibiti. Asibiti builds tools for hospital management and medical data handling. Its first product, the Asibiti box, connects patient data in one place and helps track care. Hospitals in Niger State tested it, and the company plans to expand to private clinics.

Lapai also founded JD Lab, a tech firm that supports projects solving Africa’s unique challenges with emerging technologies. He co-founded Labspace Nigeria, an innovation hub offering shared workspaces and backing sustainable growth projects.

He consults for Nigeria’s Ministry of Science and Technology and leads the IT team for TEDxMinna, a platform for spreading fresh ideas.

Lapai earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in 2011. He completed a master’s in finance and investment at Ahmadu Bello University in 2019. He started his career in 2012 as a research assistant at the Federal Agency for Science & Technology.

From 2014 to 2016, he worked as a software engineer. In 2017, he became special assistant to the governor of Niger State. There, he oversaw the development of a management system for the State’s Career Information and Resource Center (NSCIRC).

Melchior Koba

She is committed to providing tailored support for mental health, particularly for people with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her innovative approach has earned her several awards.

Abid Khouloud, a Tunisian entrepreneur and ardent mental health advocate, is the co-founder and chief executive officer of AUZY Mental Health, a startup leveraging artificial intelligence to transform mental healthcare.

Founded in 2021, AUZY Mental Health is a medical technology startup providing a comprehensive medico-psycho-social support platform. This platform offers tailored care for children with neurological development disorders, encompassing information, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and support services.

AUZY aims to provide access to expert therapists and facilitate early screening. The company's core mission is to empower every child to become an active member of society and benefit from all means of decent living. We work to ensure guidance, coordination, and an early intervention process for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Prior to establishing AUZY, Khouloud co-founded Elfallega in 2020, a company specializing in outdoor activities for individuals and professionals. She served as the communications manager there until 2023.

Khouloud earned a computer engineering degree in 2023 from the Higher Institute of Computer Science and Communication Technologies (ISITCom) in Tunisia. She also holds a master’s degree in systems, services, and applications in the Internet of Things from the National School of Engineers of Sousse, obtained in 2020.

Her professional journey began in 2020 as a full-stack engineer for the Rassemblement des ingénieurs francophones (RIF) in France. In 2022, she joined Bigweb Agency, a digital marketing firm, where she was responsible for the program management office.

Khouloud is a recipient of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM) 2024 in Tunisia. Her startup also secured third place in the Tunisia E-Health Valley competition, which recognizes companies offering digital solutions for the pharmaceutical, health, and wellness sectors.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji

African healthtech company Field has introduced a new route-to-market service to address maternal mortality, newborn health, and nutrition. Announced on September 11, the launch is backed by an initial $11 million investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The initiative will use Field’s technology, distribution network, and financing services to deliver emerging therapies across Kenya and Nigeria.

It will focus on digitalizing healthcare operations and enhancing supply chains, including financing options, last-mile delivery, and installing pharma-grade refrigerators.

Digital transformation, particularly in healthcare, is crucial for development. Implementing Digital Health Systems is expected to improve access to medical care and reduce inefficiencies. By tracking pharmaceuticals using digital tools and AI, the government can better manage resources and ensure that essential medicines reach patients, thereby improving public health outcomes.

Zambia has begun rolling out Digital Health Systems in hospitals nationwide to enhance healthcare delivery and ensure the availability of essential medicines. The project was announced on September 4 by the Ministry of Science and Technology. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, it aims to digitize healthcare services and combat drug pilferage.

At the launch of the project in Gwembe, Southern Province, Minister of Science and Technology Felix Mutati highlighted the role of modern technology in transforming healthcare. He noted that hospitals would now use digital tools to extend healthcare access to more Zambians. Additionally, the system will track pharmaceuticals from procurement to patient use, aiming to curb drug theft in healthcare facilities.

Access to basic healthcare services in Zambia is unevenly distributed between provinces and between urban and rural areas. According to the International Insulin Foundation report on Zambia’s Health System, in urban regions, 99% of households are located within 5 kilometers of a health facility, whereas in rural areas, only about 50% of households have similar proximity to healthcare facilities. The digitization initiative aims to bridge this gap by utilizing digital tools to reach more citizens, especially in underserved rural regions

Meanwhile, drug theft has been a longstanding issue in the Zambian health sector whose national drug stock level was 53.1%, below the World Health Organization’s minimum threshold of 70%. Transparency International highlighted the concerns in 2020 when Zambian journalists uncovered irregularities in a US$17 million health kit procurement. By digitizing health services and leveraging AI technologies, the government improves accountability in the pharmaceutical supply chain, ensuring drugs are tracked from procurement to patient use, ultimately boosting transparency and curbing mismanagement.

This move aligns with Zambia’s ‘Health Information Systems Strategy 2022 – 2026’ vision of “a national health information system that harnesses digital innovations to support evidence-based decision making for quality and equitable health services.”

Hikmatu Bilali

Malaria remains one of Africa’s most pressing public health issues, accounting for over 90% of global malaria cases and deaths. Leveraging AI to enhance prevention, detection, and treatment can drastically reduce the disease’s burden, saving lives and improving health outcomes.

The University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Convergence Research Centre for Insect Vectors (CRCIV) of South Korea have signed an agreement to advance malaria research using artificial intelligence (AI). The partnership, signed on August 30, will establish a Research Center of Excellence at UNZA’s School of Engineering, focusing on preventing malaria outbreaks through AI technology.

For UNZA Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Bornface Namangala, the partnership marks the beginning of a transformative effort to tackle malaria, a leading cause of death in Zambia.

SMART Zambia National Coordinator, Percy Chinyama, praised the collaboration, noting that the center could serve as a learning platform and help institutionalize AI in Zambia.

The initiative will leverage cutting-edge AI technology to identify mosquito species and combat malaria. An AI-powered system will be deployed to collect and accurately classify mosquito species, enhancing the precision of malaria prevention efforts. This project has garnered strong support from the government.

According to the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), which aids sub-Saharan African countries in controlling and eliminating malaria, Zambia remains highly endemic, with the entire population at risk. In 2022, the National Malaria Elimination Centre (NMEC) reported over 8.4 million cases, an incidence rate of 428 per 1,000 people annually, and 1,337 malaria-related deaths, equating to 8 deaths per 100,000 people.

This initiative aligns with Zambia’s National Malaria Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan 2022-2026, which outlines a framework for tracking malaria program indicators, data sources, analysis, information flow, reporting, and feedback for informed decision-making. It directly supports the plan’s goal of improving data-driven decision-making and achieving better health outcomes.

Hikmatu Bilali

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation have launched the HealthTech Startup Accelerator Program, a Pan-African initiative focused on transforming healthcare across the continent. Hosted at the HealthTech Hub in Kigali, Rwanda, the program aims to empower startups to develop innovative health technologies that address Africa's critical healthcare challenges.

The accelerator offers early-stage startups mentorship, funding, and access to advanced resources. Applications are open to African-owned startups with founders aged 18 to 35, who have a minimum viable product in sectors like telemedicine, healthcare logistics, diagnostics, and mobile health. Interested startups must apply by October 6, 2024.

Tackling healthcare disparities intensified by conflict and displacement is crucial for building long-term resilience and self-sufficiency among refugees. Utilizing advanced technology allows for the provision of immediate medical aid, enhancing healthcare accessibility a vital element in the broader framework of African development and stability.

U.S. messaging platform Gupshup, Meta (formerly Facebook), the Sudan Medical Specialization Board, and Shabaka, a consulting and research organization dedicated to humanitarian issues, have jointly launched a telemedicine chatbot. The initiative, announced by Gupshup on July 3, aims to deliver medical assistance to Sudanese refugees.

“We are honored to be part of this humanitarian project that aims to provide essential healthcare services to Sudanese refugees in need. By leveraging the power of conversational AI and the reach of WhatsApp, we can make a significant impact on the lives of these individuals who have faced immense challenges,” said Beerud Sheth,  Founder & CEO of Gupshup.

The chatbot, accessible via WhatsApp, targets refugees in Egypt, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Djibouti, and other neighboring countries. The telemedicine service offers a secure, regulatory-compliant platform supporting Arabic and English, with additional languages planned.

According to Gupshup, the project aims to meet the urgent healthcare needs of about 800,000 Sudanese refugees with limited access to medical services. The chatbot allows patients to connect with healthcare providers, who then route them to a triage team for assessment before linking them to one of over 18 specialty doctors.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reveals that the ongoing conflict has left nearly 25 million people in Sudan in need of humanitarian assistance, with severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel affecting millions. This underscores the importance of scalable, tech-driven solutions in humanitarian aid efforts to support vulnerable populations in crises effectively.

Hikmatu Bilali