• The Gates Foundation pledged more than $10 million to support Senegal’s New Deal technologique, its national digital strategy launched in February 2025.
• The partnership will fund a universal digital ID, an AI hub for health and agriculture, and a Delivery Unit to oversee project transparency and efficiency.
• Senegal’s digital strategy requires $2 billion, of which $155 million still needs to be secured.

Senegal signed a $10 million-plus partnership with the Gates Foundation on September 24 to accelerate its national digital strategy, known as the New Deal technologique. The agreement was finalized on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the state broadcaster RTS reported.

Le Président a reçu en audience M. @BillGates, Président de la Gates Foundation.

Cette rencontre a permis de conclure un partenariat stratégique de plus de 10 millions de dollars pour accélérer le #NewDealTechnologique et faire du Sénégal un hub africain d’innovation numérique. pic.twitter.com/kBJk37Sigr

— Présidence Sénégal (@PR_Senegal) September 24, 2025

The program, launched in February 2025 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aims to transform public services, strengthen digital sovereignty, and establish Senegal as a regional technology hub by 2034.

The deal provides for the rollout of a universal digital identity system, the creation of an artificial intelligence hub focused on health and agriculture, and the establishment of a Delivery Unit to ensure project transparency and efficiency.

The partnership follows an initial meeting between Bill Gates and President Faye during the 79th UN General Assembly, when both sides agreed to expand cooperation in areas including AI-assisted agriculture, sanitation, and digital innovation across strategic sectors.

Senegal budgeted CFA1,105 billion (about $2 billion) for the New Deal technologique. Authorities have already identified CFA950 billion, leaving CFA155 billion still to be mobilized.

Officials expect the Gates Foundation’s contribution to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, expand inclusive digital services for citizens, and attract additional private investment into Senegal’s tech ecosystem.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• 10mg Credit, a Nigerian fintech solution, offers instant, collateral-free credit to healthcare providers for medical supplies.

• The platform leverages AI to assess creditworthiness, approving most applications within minutes.

• Since its launch, 10mg Credit has financed over 6,000 healthcare providers, disbursing more than $3.4 million.

Access to financing remains a significant hurdle for small and medium-sized enterprises across Africa. In Nigeria, a nascent startup has introduced a solution specifically targeting the healthcare sector.

10mg Credit, a fintech solution developed by Nigerian startup 10mg Health, provides instant, collateral-free credit to healthcare facilities. These facilities use the credit to procure medicines and medical equipment. Christian Nwachukwu founded the startup in 2022.

The company said its AI-driven system quickly analyzes transaction histories to approve most applications within minutes, eliminating paperwork and delays, and provides flexible, transparent repayment plans to help users manage expenses without stress.

Healthcare establishments can opt for 10mg Credit when making purchases, either through its platform or via partner distributors. The approval process relies on AI technology, which evaluates applicants' creditworthiness in real-time. This system grants credit within minutes, requires no physical collateral, and offers repayment terms tailored to each facility's cash flow.

By enabling hospitals to pre-finance purchases, 10mg Credit helps reduce service interruptions and enhances the healthcare system's resilience. Since its inception, the solution claims to have financed over 6,000 healthcare providers, with a total volume exceeding $3.4 million and a loan approval rate near 60%. However, the startup faces challenges in managing repayment risk, securing data, and extending coverage to less connected areas.

Regarding data protection, the startup asserts it only collects information necessary for fair and instant decisions, "encrypting it end-to-end for maximum protection."

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Adriaan Kruger, a South African technology entrepreneur, is making his mark in digital health by designing platforms for clinical research. He is the cofounder and chief executive of nuvoteQ.io, a software development firm. In September, he was selected among the ten finalists of Africa’s Business Heroes, whose semifinal took place in Dakar, Senegal.

Founded in 2014, nuvoteQ.io builds digital solutions to manage clinical trials and life sciences data. The company aims to replace paper-based data collection with digital tools.

Among its key products is Kronus, a web-based clinical trial management platform. It enables data entry, workflow automation, and real-time access to information while ensuring regulatory compliance. The firm also developed Nukleus, an eSource platform that removes manual data entry, and SafetyBase, a pharmacovigilance tool that centralizes and structures safety data.

Kruger co-founded Scigenix in 2023, a health data company where he serves on the board. In 2024, he helped establish the nuvoteQ Foundation, which supports and protects health technologies critical to public health.

He also leads the tech team at Clinical Trial Community, a platform that helps identify clinical trial sites in Africa. In addition, he serves as vice president of SACRA South Africa, an association dedicated to clinical research.

Kruger graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Pretoria in 2005 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2010 from the Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership.

He began his career in 2005 at iOCO, an Oracle technology solutions provider, where he worked as a consultant and later as an account and sales manager, before leading the Oracle technologies and hardware division. In 2014, he joined Cytespace Research Private as a senior associate, focusing on patient-centered data solutions for clinics and hospitals.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Karim Amor founded Epineon, a health-focused AI startup launched in 2021.

• Epineon develops metabolic health software and runs a startup incubation program.

• Amor also co-founded NexTraction, which applies AI to streamline startup due diligence.

Moroccan entrepreneur Karim Amor is expanding his footprint in technology and health innovation, applying artificial intelligence (AI) to metabolic health and startup development.

Amor is founder and CEO of Epineon, a company launched in 2021 that builds AI-powered software to support diagnostics, health monitoring and metabolic longevity. The firm integrates multiple fields, including robotics, biomimetics, biotechnology, data analytics and quantum technologies.

Epineon also operates Synergeon CollaboraTech, an incubation program that provides mentorship to early-stage businesses. Its platform uses sensitive metabolic data to design personalized nutrition and fitness plans.

Beyond Epineon, Amor has established a diverse portfolio. He founded JET Group Maroc, which invests in technology, social housing development and organic cosmetics. Since 2020, he has also chaired MeM, a networking hub for Moroccan entrepreneurs.

Most recently, in June 2025, Amor co-founded NexTraction, a venture designed to assist investors and founders in startup validation. The firm’s AI-driven platform automates due diligence by offering real-time market analysis, risk signal detection and predictive scoring.

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

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.