Building a Strong Advisory Board in HealthTech: African Wisdom Meets Global Strategy

“Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” — African Proverb

So you’ve launched a HealthTech startup. You’ve got the code, the courage, and perhaps even a catchy name like AfyaSync, WellMama, or NurseNia. But who’s helping you steer the ship through regulatory swamps, ethical quicksand, or investor tsunamis? If your answer is “my instincts,” then my friend — it’s time to build an advisory board.

Let’s dive into the what, why, and how of assembling a HealthTech advisory dream team rooted in African realities and global excellence.

Why You Need an Advisory Board in HealthTech

An advisory board is like a health centre without patients — invisible, yet indispensable. It doesn’t run your startup, but it guides it, often behind the scenes. Especially in Africa’s complex digital health landscape, an advisory board offers:

• Credibility with investors and partners

• Connections in health ministries, donor circles, and academia

• Competence in areas you may lack — like clinical trials, digital architecture, or regulatory affairs

• Coaching to help you avoid classic pitfalls (like building an app no nurse wants to use)

"A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth." — African Proverb

You don’t want your innovation to be that child. You want it embraced, guided, and elevated by a “village” of wise advisors.

The African HealthTech Terrain: Not for the Faint-Hearted

HealthTech in Africa isn’t just about writing code — it’s navigating the mosaic of:

• Government red tape

• Digital infrastructure gaps

• Donor politics

• Multilingual, multicultural users

• Skeptical frontline health workers

• Cross-border data privacy laws

Case in Point: mPharma (Ghana)
When mPharma sought to streamline medication access across African pharmacies, they didn’t do it solo. Their advisory team included former pharma executives and public health policy veterans. Today, they operate in 10+ African countries (TechCrunch, 2022).
👉 https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/25/mpharma-raises-35m/

Who Belongs on Your Advisory Board?

A solid HealthTech advisory board should be a stew — not a single spice. Here's the ideal mix:

1. Medical Experts: Clinicians, nurses, or public health leaders who understand user realities

2. Tech Gurus: Engineers or data scientists who see around corners

3. Regulatory Sherpas: Former health officials or NGO advisors to help navigate laws

4. Financial Strategists: People who've raised or managed donor, VC, or impact funding

5. Community Voices: CHWs or patients — yes, advisors from the grassroots

“Even the best cooking pot will not produce food.” — African Proverb
No matter how brilliant your innovation is, it needs the right mix of people to deliver impact.

How to Recruit the Right Advisors

1. Know What You Need (Not Just Who You Know)
Start by doing a gap analysis. Are you weak in digital security? Missing community insight? That’s your first clue.

2. Look for Alignment, Not Just Fame
Don’t chase "big names" just for credibility. You need advisors who will actually show up — even if virtually — and challenge you.

3. Make the Ask Personal & Purpose-Driven
Use storytelling. Say:
"We’re building a platform to help rural mothers get timely antenatal care in Kisumu — and we’d love your expertise to avoid common pitfalls."

4. Offer Value
You don’t need to pay them (yet), but respect their time:

• Offer equity (if possible)

• Invite them to demo days

• Feature them on your website

“He who learns, teaches.” — Ethiopian Proverb

Governance Tips: Don't Let It Be a WhatsApp Group Gone Wrong

An advisory board isn’t just a title. It needs structure:

✅ Set clear expectations (e.g., quarterly meetings, availability for intros)
✅ Share a concise update before meetings
✅ Assign a point person (often the founder or COO)
✅ Rotate members every 1–2 years
✅ Celebrate wins and acknowledge contributions

📘 Further Reading:

• Harvard Business Review. (2018). Building an Advisory Board That Works. https://hbr.org/2018/03/building-an-advisory-board-that-works

• Feld, B. (2012). Startup Boards: Getting the Most Out of Your Board of Directors. Wiley.
  DOI: 10.1002/9781118239961

Scenario: The Curious Case of “MamaCare AI”

A Nairobi-based startup launched MamaCare AI, a chatbot for maternal health. Early traction was solid, but then...

❌ Hit a regulatory wall on data privacy.
❌ App design clashed with local customs.
❌ Investors went cold after seeing a lack of strategic advisory support.

Only after adding a seasoned OBGYN, a former Ministry of Health ICT director, and a grassroots midwife to their advisory board did things stabilize.

🌱 Lesson: No matter how brilliant the AI, wisdom and people matter.

Final Thoughts: Wisdom Is a Collective Affair

In the African startup space, where regulations change with elections and funding fluctuates like mobile networks, you need more than a genius idea.

You need wisdom.
You need connection.
You need an advisory board that says:
"We’ve seen this mountain before — and here’s the path through."

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb

Call to Action

Are you building a HealthTech startup in Africa?
It’s time to gather your village of advisors. Download our free Advisory Board Readiness Checklist at https://magazine.doctorsexplain.net/advisory-checklist

Or join our founder community at https://founders.doctorsexplain.net to connect with mentors, investors, and fellow health disruptors.

References

• TechCrunch. (2022). mPharma raises $35M to build out Africa’s pharmaceutical infrastructure. https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/25/mpharma-raises-35m

• Harvard Business Review. (2018). Building an Advisory Board That Works. https://hbr.org/2018/03/building-an-advisory-board-that-works

• Feld, B. (2012). Startup Boards: Getting the Most Out of Your Board of Directors. Wiley. DOI: 10.1002/9781118239961

• Dalberg. (2021). The Future of HealthTech in Africa. https://dalberg.com

• World Health Organization. (2023). Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/digital-health-strategy