How African Startups Are Localizing Global Med-Tech: Innovations, Impact, and the Path Forward

1. Executive Summary

African startups are at the forefront of a profound transformation in the continent's healthcare landscape, driven by the imperative to localize global medical technology (med-tech) solutions. This white paper examines the innovative strategies employed by these pioneering ventures, detailing their significant impact on healthcare access and outcomes, and exploring the persistent challenges that shape their trajectory. By adapting technology for affordability and accessibility, leveraging widespread mobile penetration for digital health services, and optimizing fragmented supply chains, these startups are fundamentally reshaping healthcare delivery. Their efforts extend to advancing precision medicine and diagnostics, tailoring solutions to Africa's unique epidemiological burden. The profound effects include enhanced quality of care, direct addressing of specific health challenges, and the fostering of socio-economic benefits such as reduced import dependence and job creation. Despite this dynamism, the sector faces substantial hurdles, including patchy funding, complex regulatory environments, infrastructural limitations, and talent gaps. Addressing these bottlenecks requires concerted efforts from governments, investors, and international partners. The overarching message is clear: African-led innovation holds immense potential to build resilient and equitable health systems, not just for the continent but as a compelling model for other low- and middle-income regions globally.

2. Introduction: The Imperative for Localized Med-Tech in Africa

The burgeoning African med-tech sector is not merely adopting global technologies but is actively reimagining and localizing them to confront the continent's distinctive healthcare realities. This foundational shift is driven by a complex interplay of systemic deficiencies and burgeoning opportunities.

2.1. Africa's Unique Healthcare Landscape and Challenges

African health systems are characterized by inherent fragility, chronic underfunding, and being perpetually overstretched.1 This often leads to a "curative consumption trap," where expensive, hospital-based care is prioritized over preventative measures and community engagement, resulting in unsustainable models and pervasive inequities.1 This systemic issue is underscored by a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, with an average of only 1.55 physicians, nurses, and midwives per 1,000 individuals, a figure significantly below the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended threshold of 4.45.2 This disparity is particularly acute in rural areas, where a single doctor may serve tens of thousands of patients, highlighting a critical gap in human resources.2

Further compounding these challenges are limited infrastructure, including inadequate availability and accessibility of health equipment, and significant geographic barriers that impede access to quality healthcare services for many populations.3 High import costs and fragmented distribution networks exacerbate these issues, potentially increasing the price of medical devices by up to 30%, thereby limiting both accessibility and affordability.5

The region also contends with a complex epidemiological burden. It faces a high prevalence of major communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and neglected tropical diseases, alongside a rapidly rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.6 NCDs alone accounted for 37% of deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2019, a notable increase from 24% in 2000.1

Pervasive financial challenges are another significant barrier. High out-of-pocket expenditures frequently push families into poverty, creating a vicious cycle where illness perpetuates poverty and vice-versa.1 Sub-Saharan Africa's per capita healthcare spending stands at approximately $40, a stark contrast to around $4000 in high-income countries, underscoring the severe resource constraints.1 Moreover, a lack of trust in "unfriendly, distant, supply-driven health systems" often prompts individuals to seek care only when critically ill, leading to late diagnoses and higher treatment costs.1 The challenges are further compounded by corruption and poor governance of both foreign and domestic resources, which exact a toll on health development across the region.4

2.2. The Burgeoning African Health Tech Sector

Despite these formidable challenges, Africa's med-tech industry is experiencing rapid growth, projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% and reach USD 9.8 billion by 2025.5 This expansion is primarily fueled by a young population, with a median age of just 19, and a mobile-first populace, where smartphone penetration is expected to reach 75% by 2026.8 Currently, over 650 million Africans have access to mobile phones, creating a fertile ground for digital health innovation.8

The sector is increasingly attracting significant attention from venture capitalists (VCs) and accelerators, drawn by the continent's untapped market potential and the growing demand for innovative healthcare solutions.9 Healthtech startups collectively raised over $200 million in 2022, marking a substantial 250% increase from five years prior.8 Geographically, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya collectively account for three-quarters of the African health tech startup market, demonstrating concentrated hubs of innovation.10

2.3. Defining Localization in African Med-Tech

Localization in the context of African med-tech is not a superficial adaptation but a deliberate and profound process. It involves developing, adapting, and implementing medical technologies and healthcare solutions that are specifically tailored to the unique socio-economic, infrastructural, cultural, and epidemiological realities of African communities.5 This approach mandates designing solutions that are inherently affordable, highly accessible (especially in remote and underserved areas), culturally intuitive, and seamlessly integrated into existing local workflows and trust networks.5 The ultimate aim is to foster health systems that are "invented locally, and scaled digitally," reflecting a deep commitment to homegrown solutions.8

The pervasive "curative consumption trap" within African health systems, which prioritizes expensive, reactive care over prevention and community engagement, serves as a fundamental driver for localized innovation. The inherent unsustainability and prohibitive cost of this traditional model, exacerbated by extremely low per capita healthcare spending, create a profound market imperative for alternative, more cost-effective, preventative, and accessible solutions.1 This fundamental systemic failure directly explains why African startups strategically focus on mobile-first solutions, telehealth platforms, and decentralized diagnostics. These innovations are inherently designed to be more preventative, community-focused, and cost-efficient than the traditional, hospital-centric care. They are not merely incremental improvements but represent a fundamental disruption and reshaping of healthcare delivery to escape this "curative consumption trap." This suggests that localization in Africa is not just about adapting global technology; it is about a foundational rethinking of healthcare delivery to address deep-seated systemic failures and build a more sustainable, equitable model from the ground up, potentially offering invaluable lessons for other low- and middle-income countries.

While widespread mobile phone access and projected smartphone penetration are explicitly cited as key enabling factors for the burgeoning health tech sector, the effective localization and adoption of digital health solutions require more than just device availability.8 The research highlights significant challenges in securing "patient buy-in and widespread support for digital health, particularly regarding disparities in patients' socioeconomic status and literacy rates".3 Furthermore, "high internet costs, frequent power outages" are infrastructural barriers, and solutions need to be "culturally intuitive" and "embedded in trust" within existing community relationships.11 This indicates that while mobile penetration enables the proliferation of digital health, its effective impact necessitates a holistic approach addressing digital literacy, ensuring affordable data and reliable power, and critically, building trust by integrating with existing human relationships and community structures. The mere presence of technology does not guarantee its impact; the solution must be meticulously designed for the "real-world context" and the "human problem" of the "last mile".11 This suggests that the long-term success of mobile-first med-tech in Africa hinges on a comprehensive strategy that combines technological accessibility with profound socio-cultural adaptation and infrastructural resilience, distinguishing African digital health development from that in more digitally mature markets.

3. Pioneering Localization Strategies by African Startups

African startups are demonstrating remarkable ingenuity in localizing med-tech, adapting global concepts to address the continent's unique realities through a variety of pioneering strategies.

3.1. Tailoring Solutions to Local Needs: Affordable Devices and Diagnostics

African entrepreneurs are actively developing solutions specifically tailored to local needs, effectively cutting costs and significantly boosting accessibility to healthcare in underserved rural areas.5 A prime example is

Deaftronics in Botswana, which produces solar-powered hearing aids. These devices drastically reduce costs by 90%, priced at USD 100, including rechargeable batteries and a solar charger, directly addressing the high cost and inaccessibility of traditional hearing aid batteries prevalent in rural Africa.5 Deaftronics' achievements exemplify the effectiveness of locally produced med-tech in overcoming Africa's unique healthcare challenges. The company plans to expand operations by establishing a distribution hub in Kenya for East Africa and setting up manufacturing facilities in Nigeria, aiming to scale local production and reduce import dependence.5

Similarly, Mscan in Uganda has developed affordable, portable, and power-efficient ultrasound devices compatible with laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.13 These devices are critical for saving lives by enabling early detection of complications in pregnant mothers in remote areas where traditional ultrasound access is limited.5 The emphasis on "affordable, portable, and power-efficient" underscores a strong localization effort to address specific infrastructure and resource challenges often found in African healthcare settings.13 Mscan intends to expand its reach beyond Uganda by establishing distribution hubs in neighboring countries, further scaling operations and localizing production.5

Other notable ventures include GIC Space, which has developed proprietary technologies such as a smart speculum, a digital microscopy system, and a simple biopsy device.13 These innovations are designed to cater to specific diagnostic needs within the African context.

Neural Labs Africa explicitly states its mission to use technology to democratize access to diagnostic healthcare across Africa, highlighting a significant localization effort aimed at making essential diagnostics more widely available and affordable.13

Aurora Health Systems is developing advanced medical devices paired with AI-based software to assist clinicians in detecting early signs of heart and lung diseases, focusing on prevalent health issues within the region where early detection tools can have substantial impact.13

3.2. Revolutionizing Healthcare Access through Digital Platforms

Telemedicine has seen a significant increase in use across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with current applications spanning screening, diagnostics, treatment, and long-term management.3

Zuri Health in Kenya operates as a virtual hospital, providing affordable and accessible healthcare services across Sub-Saharan Africa via a mobile app, website, WhatsApp bot, and SMS service.13 This multi-channel approach enhances accessibility across varying user capabilities and connectivity levels.

Waspito in Nigeria offers a low-cost telehealth platform that improves healthcare access through teleconsultation services, with its emphasis on affordability crucial for widespread adoption in economically diverse communities.13

A landmark initiative was the 10-year partnership between the Rwandan government and Babyl (Rwanda), which aimed to provide digital healthcare services to all Rwandans via mobile phones.15 This initiative offered convenient access to qualified doctors and nurses, especially in remote areas, amassing over 2 million registered users and delivering over 1 million consultations. It demonstrably reduced healthcare costs and patient travel time.16

Healthtracka in Nigeria, a digital health platform offering at-home lab testing with digital results, experienced significant growth and expanded to over 10 Nigerian cities, directly addressing barriers of distance and access to traditional lab facilities.8

Baobab Circle (Afya Pap) developed an AI-powered digital platform providing daily behavioral coaching, remote patient monitoring, and remote access to doctors, demonstrating the development of culturally intuitive, chat-based health education and early intervention platforms.8

Clafiya offers a digital primary healthcare service connecting individuals and businesses directly to health practitioners.13

Penda Health Limited in Kenya operates a 'brick and click' model, leveraging telehealth to serve the mass market by combining physical presence with digital convenience.13

YeneHealth in Ethiopia, a femtech startup, focuses on increasing access to health information, products, and services specifically for women of reproductive age, addressing a critical demographic health need.13 The general consensus among experts is that telemedicine will continue to be used in primary care, evolving towards "hybrid medicine" that combines telemedicine with traditional face-to-face consultations.3

3.3. Strengthening Supply Chains and Distribution

Africa's supply chain remains the second most dominant sub-sector within the health tech landscape, accounting for 18% of the region's startups.10 High import costs and fragmented distribution networks can inflate the price of medical devices by up to 30%.5 African companies are actively tackling these obstacles by localizing production, partnering with local distributors, and securing international funding to subsidize costs and improve delivery times.5 Deaftronics and Mscan, beyond their innovative devices, also focus on tackling broader supply chain inefficiencies by partnering with local distributors and securing international funding to subsidize costs, improve accessibility, and reduce delivery times, ensuring their technology reaches underserved areas.5

Remedial Health and Field Intelligence, both based in Nigeria, are prominent in supply chain management and technologies.10 Field Intelligence, notably, has collaborated with the Nigerian government to optimize supply chains, resulting in a significant 52% reduction in stockouts for antimalarial drugs at the point of care.15

Dawa Mkononi is a B2B mobile application providing health facilities and pharmacies with a marketplace for easy and efficient procurement of medications.13

DrugStoc in Nigeria and Medsource in Kenya deploy inventory management and marketplace solutions to directly connect pharmacies and clinics to trusted supply of products from manufacturers and distributors.15 This approach helps ensure product availability, reduces price variability, and significantly contributes to reducing the prevalence of counterfeit medication by offering tech-enabled alternatives to sourcing from open drug markets.15

Kasha, operating in Kenya and Rwanda, serves as a prime example of adaptive localization. Initially a consumer-focused online pharmacy, it evolved to offer inventory procurement services to hospitals and pharmacies.10 Platforms like Kasha not only streamline access to products but also create more space in physical service locations, saving on unnecessary travel and generating income through cost savings.19

Rocket Health in Uganda and PharmaGo in South Africa facilitate end-user access to medications through online pharmacy operations.15 Established physical retail pharmacy chains, such as Goodlife Pharmacy (Kenya), HealthPlus (Nigeria), and MedPlus (Nigeria), are also launching their own online pharmacy operations, leveraging existing brand names, inventory, and logistics infrastructure.15

3.4. Advancing Precision Medicine and Diagnostics

African biotech startups are making significant strides in genomics and AI-powered diagnostics, creating waves of innovation across the continent.8

54Gene in Nigeria aimed to bridge the critical gap in genomic data representation for African populations, which historically accounts for less than 3% of global datasets.20 By providing precision medicine solutions, molecular diagnostics, and genetic testing, 54Gene sought to enable drug discovery and clinical trials tailored to African genetic diversity.20 They launched a biobank initiative to store and analyze samples from underrepresented populations globally and rolled out mobile genomics labs to improve access to testing in rural Nigeria.20 Their partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies underscored their leadership in African genomics.20

Yeemachi Biotech in Ghana utilizes a cancer detection platform integrating immunogenomics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence to revolutionize cancer treatment in Africa.20 Their focus is on cost-effective solutions to lower the economic burden on patients. They recently collaborated with Institut Pasteur Tunis to study inflammatory breast cancer specifically in African patients and launched a clinical trial network across West Africa to expand access to precision oncology tools.20

AzarGen Biotechnologies in South Africa develops human therapeutic proteins using genetic engineering and synthetic biology techniques in plants.20 Their primary focus is on respiratory disease treatments and biosimilar anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies. In 2025, they launched a collaborative project with European biotech firms to accelerate the production of biosimilars, demonstrating their growing global impact.20

LifeQ in South Africa is a biotech startup providing users with access to health information derived from wearable devices.23

Envisionit Deep AI in South Africa is an innovative MedTech company using AI to streamline and improve medical imaging diagnosis for radiology.23 AI-powered diagnostics are identified as a top trend for 2025, with startups increasingly using machine learning to read radiology scans, diagnose eye conditions, and screen for diseases like malaria and tuberculosis using smartphone-based tools.8 A prime example is the local deployment of computer-aided detection (CAD) systems for tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa, which analyze digital X-rays with remarkable accuracy, enhancing diagnostic precision, enabling early intervention, and freeing up resources for direct patient care, particularly in underserved communities via mobile X-ray vans.24

The emphasis on addressing healthcare access in "rural Africa" and reaching the "last mile" is a recurring theme in the development of localized solutions.3 Companies like Deaftronics, with its solar-powered hearing aids, Mscan, with its portable ultrasounds, and 54Gene, with its mobile genomics labs, explicitly design their products and services for resource-constrained environments, prioritizing affordability, portability, and power efficiency.5 This indicates that successful localization in Africa extends far beyond mere technological adaptation; it necessitates a deep cultural and contextual understanding. Solutions must be seamlessly integrated into existing human relationships and local workflows, directly addressing issues of trust, digital literacy, and user capabilities.3 The underlying design philosophy is fundamentally different from that in developed markets, prioritizing resilience, simplicity, and community integration over high-tech complexity, often driven by the constraints of the local environment. This approach to African med-tech localization offers a powerful blueprint for "frugal innovation" and context-sensitive design, highly relevant and transferable to other emerging markets facing similar "last mile" challenges. It underscores the importance of human-centered design and local co-creation over a technology-first, imported paradigm.

Furthermore, the research clearly identifies that African health challenges encompass both major communicable diseases, such as malaria, HIV, and TB, and a rapidly rising burden of non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.6 Startups are actively addressing both categories, with examples including Yeemachi Biotech for cancer detection, Mscan for maternal complications, 54Gene for genomics, AI for TB screening, Kasha for women's health, and Palindrome Data for HIV programs.5 This simultaneous focus reflects the complex "double burden" of disease that many African countries are experiencing. They grapple with persistent infectious diseases while simultaneously facing a growing NCD epidemic. Med-tech solutions must therefore be versatile and comprehensive enough to tackle both, often requiring different technological approaches, such as rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases versus long-term management and prevention tools for NCDs. The comprehensive and adaptive nature of African med-tech solutions, which address a wide spectrum of health issues concurrently, showcases a unique capacity for innovation driven by necessity, contrasting with the more specialized and siloed approaches often seen in healthcare innovation in developed economies, making African models potentially more holistic and resilient.

Table 1: Key African Med-Tech Startups and Their Localization Strategies

4. Impact and Transformative Outcomes of Localized Med-Tech

The localized med-tech solutions pioneered by African startups are yielding tangible and transformative impacts on healthcare across the continent, translating innovation into improved health outcomes and significant socio-economic benefits.

4.1. Enhancing Accessibility, Affordability, and Quality of Care

Localized med-tech solutions are proving genuinely transformative in significantly cutting costs and boosting accessibility to essential healthcare services, particularly in underserved rural areas across Africa.5 Deaftronics, through its solar-powered hearing aids, has achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in costs compared to traditional alternatives, making hearing care accessible to a broader population.5 Mscan's portable ultrasound devices are directly saving lives by enabling early detection of critical complications in pregnant mothers, especially in remote areas where traditional diagnostic tools are scarce.5

The Babyl Rwanda initiative successfully provided over 1 million teleconsultations, substantially increasing access to healthcare, particularly for populations in rural areas, and reducing healthcare costs by more than half compared to traditional clinic or hospital consultations.16 It also significantly reduced the burden of travel time and income loss for patients seeking care.16 Digital health technologies, in general, have demonstrated their capacity to reduce the time required for people to access healthcare by an average of 50%.17 Electronic Health Records (EHRs), exemplified by Rwanda's national EHR system, are improving care continuity, reducing medical errors, and facilitating more efficient healthcare decision-making.3 Furthermore, EMRs enable more coordinated care for patients through efficient digital referrals and patient information transfer.16

Online pharmacies and product distribution platforms, such as Kasha, Rocket Health, PharmaGo, and DrugStoc, are streamlining access to essential medical products.15 They create more physical space in traditional service locations, save on unnecessary patient travel, and critically, reduce the prevalence of counterfeit medication by providing trusted, tech-enabled sourcing alternatives.15 AI-powered diagnostics are enhancing diagnostic precision, enabling earlier intervention, and freeing up valuable resources for direct patient care, particularly for high-burden diseases like tuberculosis.24

The initial problem framing of Africa's healthcare challenges often centers on issues of "access" to services.1 While many startups undeniably improve access through widespread telemedicine and portable devices, their impact extends far beyond mere availability. EHRs are improving care continuity and reducing medical errors.3 AI-powered diagnostics are enhancing diagnostic precision and enabling earlier, more effective interventions.24 Supply chain solutions are not just making products available but are also reducing the prevalence of counterfeit drugs and mitigating critical stockouts.15 This progression indicates that localization is not simply about making

something available; it is fundamentally about making better, safer, more reliable, and more equitable healthcare available. This suggests a maturing ecosystem that is progressing beyond basic provision to actively address systemic quality issues and operational inefficiencies. The shift from solely focusing on "access" to encompassing "quality," "efficiency," and "equity" signifies a deeper, more comprehensive transformation of healthcare systems. This demonstrates that localized med-tech is not a second-tier or stop-gap solution but a robust pathway to developing high-quality, context-appropriate healthcare models that, in terms of relevance and effectiveness for the local population, can rival or even surpass imported models. It highlights a unique strength born from addressing complex challenges head-on.

4.2. Addressing Specific Health Burdens

Localized med-tech solutions are directly and strategically addressing Africa's complex and high disease burden. For cancer, Yeemachi Biotech's innovative approach, leveraging immunogenomics, bioinformatics, and AI, aims to revolutionize cancer detection and treatment, thereby significantly lowering the economic burden on patients across Africa.20 In the realm of genomic data, 54Gene's pioneering efforts to bridge the critical gap in African genomic data representation are fundamental for developing precision medicine solutions that are truly tailored to the unique genetic diversity and disease profiles of African populations.20

For maternal health, Mscan's portable ultrasound devices are proving indispensable for the early detection of complications in pregnant mothers, a key factor in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.5 Regarding infectious diseases, Field Intelligence's collaborative work with the Nigerian government led to a substantial 52% reduction in stockouts for antimalarial drugs, directly impacting the fight against one of Africa's most prevalent diseases.15 AI is also being actively utilized for screening high-burden infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.8 Palindrome Data, through its predictive risk models, is improving the return on investment (ROI) of existing HIV programs, enhancing targeted interventions.13 For non-communicable diseases (NCDs), AzarGen Biotechnologies is developing treatments for respiratory diseases and biosimilar anti-cancer antibodies, addressing growing NCD burdens.20 AI-powered chatbots, such as the GREAT4Diabetes initiative and the national MomConnect program, are significantly boosting health education and chronic disease management in the public health space.24

4.3. Socio-Economic Benefits and Reduced Import Dependence

Localized production, as powerfully demonstrated by Deaftronics, directly contributes to reducing import dependence and improving overall supply chain efficiency, all while effectively managing costs.5 This fosters greater self-reliance and economic resilience. The growing scale and commercial success of African innovators, with companies offering order and inventory management solutions now serving approximately 50,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics across the continent, underscore the immense commercial opportunity inherent in addressing these local needs.19 These innovations are not only transforming healthcare but also creating new jobs and providing valuable training opportunities within the burgeoning digital health sector, as evidenced by Babyl Rwanda's creation of 300 jobs.16 By prioritizing and investing in local solutions, African innovators are actively building practical, resilient, and contextually relevant systems that fundamentally improve healthcare access and strengthen the continent's self-reliance. The prevailing sentiment is a strategic shift to "start local and go global – not the other way around," emphasizing Africa's potential as a source of global health innovation.19

Abdullah Yusuf of Salient Advisory explicitly states, "The commercial opportunity here is incredible... But these innovators also hold the key to solving some of Africa's thorniest healthcare challenges".19 Startups are not only attracting significant venture capital interest but are also demonstrating revenue generation and scalability, with the sector projected for substantial growth.8 This indicates a powerful virtuous cycle: the immense social need, such as fragmented supply chains and lack of access to diagnostics, creates a large, previously untapped, and commercially viable market. Solutions that effectively address these critical needs naturally become profitable, thereby attracting further investment and enabling scale. This inherent commercial viability is paramount for the

sustainability and scalability of these solutions, making them more resilient and less dependent on external aid or short-term funding cycles. The African med-tech sector exemplifies a potent model of "impact investing," where financial returns are intrinsically linked to profound positive social outcomes. This suggests a sustainable and self-perpetuating path for development that moves beyond traditional aid paradigms, fostering economic growth alongside health improvement.

Table 2: Overview of Healthcare Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa and Med-Tech Responses

5. Navigating the Ecosystem: Persistent Challenges and Bottlenecks

Despite significant progress and demonstrated potential, African med-tech startups continue to face substantial structural and systemic barriers that critically hinder their ability to scale and achieve long-term sustainability.

5.1. Funding Landscape

The investment landscape for African health tech solutions experienced a sharp decline of 36% in the first half of 2024, with only $24 million raised. This represents a substantial 69% drop compared to the same period in 2023.19 This trend mirrors broader declines in African tech ecosystems, where overall investments were down by 50% in the first half of 2024.25 The decline is evident in both the number of deals, which decreased by 47%, and the average ticket size, which dropped by 50%.25 Equity funding, historically the most common funding type for startups, plummeted by 73%, and grant funding by 78%.25

A significant structural bottleneck is that less than 10% of Africa-focused Venture Capital (VC) is directed towards health tech, with even less reaching Francophone or rural markets.8 Many startups, particularly those in early stages, struggle to secure adequate funding.9 Funding for product distribution startups is often disproportionately skewed towards companies with founders who have ties to high-income countries, creating an implicit fundraising ceiling, typically not exceeding $150,000, for founders without such connections.15 The broader economic ecosystem, characterized by rapid inflation and high debt payments, is proving to be unfriendly to both new companies and consumers struggling to access services.19 Funding for digital health projects in the region is frequently unsustainable and provided for short durations, hindering long-term progress and strategic planning.3 Telemedicine innovators across the continent typically rely on out-of-pocket payments by end-users for revenue and growth, as integration with government purchasing models and national healthcare schemes is limited, with Rwanda being a notable exception.15

5.2. Regulatory Environment

Complex, lengthy, and unclear health tech licensing processes represent significant barriers to market entry and scaling.12 Outdated regulations actively delay the rollout of telemedicine services and impede the establishment of robust data-sharing frameworks.8 Fragmented regulatory systems across the diverse African continent pose substantial challenges for cross-border expansion and standardization.27 Online pharmacies, a crucial component of localized drug distribution, often operate in a "gray area" due to a pervasive lack of clear regulations. A survey indicated that only 8% of African countries had specific online pharmacy regulations.15 The absence of comprehensive data protection laws and robust intellectual property (IP) rights discourages both local innovation and foreign investment, raising concerns about data security.12 Regulatory and certification challenges have demonstrably stalled the rollout of promising local innovations, such as a low-cost ventilator developed in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic.28 Bureaucracy and general regulatory hurdles are explicitly identified as key barriers to the successful formation and scale-up of public-private partnerships.19

Despite these challenges, progress is being made: as of January 2025, eight African nations, including Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, achieved WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for medicines and vaccines.27 This signifies a stable, well-functioning regulatory system, which enhances public health safety, fosters trust, and encourages local manufacturing.27

5.3. Infrastructure Limitations

Persistent infrastructural and connectivity deficiencies, including the lack of stable internet, reliable electricity, and efficient logistics networks, are fundamental challenges for the success of tech startups.12 These limitations are particularly pronounced in rural and semi-urban areas. High internet costs and frequent power outages directly impact both startup operations and user adoption, creating significant operational hurdles.12 Many healthcare institutions across the continent are compelled to work with outdated technologies and legacy systems, which can compromise the quality of care provided and raise serious concerns about data security and interoperability.3 The overall "poor infrastructure to support healthtech" is a recognized challenge that impedes digital transformation.26

5.4. Talent and Capacity Gaps

Scaling health tech solutions requires a dual proficiency in both technical skills and health literacy, yet trained talent remains thin, especially outside major urban centers.8 The unavailability of sufficient health personnel and specialized expertise is a critical barrier to effectively scaling health technologies across the continent.29 A concerning trend is that well-funded Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and foreign governments sometimes inadvertently siphon off the local health workforce, exacerbating existing shortages.4

5.5. Perception and Trust

A significant challenge is the perception that "when it is a locally produced product, people tend to look down upon it".5 This bias against local innovation can be overcome, as demonstrated by Deaftronics, which gained credibility after winning international awards.5 Building trust is paramount in African communities, where people often rely on long-standing relationships with traditional healthcare providers like pharmacists and nurses.11 A new app does not automatically gain trust; it must be earned by integrating with existing human relationships and workflows, rather than replacing them.11 Healthcare in Africa is deeply human, relational, behavioral, and tied to culture, routine, and word of mouth. Solutions must "speak the language of that reality" to avoid being lost, emphasizing empathy, observation, humility, and a willingness to listen before building.11

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

African startups are demonstrating extraordinary ingenuity in localizing global med-tech, transforming the continent's healthcare landscape by addressing its unique challenges with context-specific, affordable, and accessible solutions. Their efforts are not merely adapting existing technologies but are fundamentally reshaping healthcare delivery, moving beyond a "curative consumption trap" towards more preventative, community-focused, and efficient models. This shift is enhancing accessibility, affordability, and quality of care, directly tackling specific disease burdens, and generating significant socio-economic benefits. The commercial viability of these localized solutions creates a powerful, sustainable engine for social impact, moving beyond traditional aid paradigms.

However, the path to scale and sustained impact is fraught with significant challenges. The recent sharp decline in health tech funding, coupled with persistent regulatory complexities, infrastructural limitations, and talent shortages, poses substantial threats to the sector's growth. The inherent bias against locally produced products and the critical need to build trust within existing community structures further underscore the non-technical dimensions of successful localization.

To fully unlock the potential of African med-tech and ensure its transformative impact reaches all citizens, the following recommendations are crucial:

1. Prioritize Sustainable and Localized Funding Mechanisms: Governments and international partners must move beyond short-term, unsustainable funding models. This includes encouraging local venture capital funds, offering grants and tax incentives for early-stage entrepreneurs, and promoting crowdfunding and angel investment networks to diversify funding sources.12 Public investment mechanisms, similar to those in OECD countries that support social innovation, commercialization, and regulatory approval, are critically needed.15

2. Harmonize and Streamline Regulatory Frameworks: African governments should develop transparent, consistent, and unified regulatory frameworks for health tech at both national and regional levels.12 Establishing regulatory sandboxes to test innovative business models, strengthening intellectual property laws, and implementing robust data protection policies are essential to foster a conducive business environment and boost investor confidence.12 Learning from countries that have achieved WHO ML3 status can accelerate this process.27

3. Invest in Robust Infrastructure and Digital Literacy: Addressing infrastructural deficits, particularly in rural areas, is paramount. This includes expanding access to stable internet, reliable electricity, and efficient logistics networks.12 Simultaneously, initiatives to improve digital literacy among patients and healthcare workers are vital to ensure widespread adoption and effective utilization of digital health solutions.3

4. Cultivate and Retain Local Talent: Strategic investments in training programs that build both technical and health literacy are necessary to address talent shortages.8 Policies should be implemented to prevent the siphoning off of local health professionals by foreign entities and to create attractive opportunities for them within the burgeoning local health tech ecosystem.4

5. Foster Trust and Cultural Integration: Startups and policymakers must prioritize human-centered design, embedding solutions within existing community trust networks and cultural contexts.11 This involves listening to local needs, understanding daily workflows, and building solutions that complement, rather than replace, established relational aspects of healthcare. Public awareness campaigns can also help shift perceptions regarding the quality and efficacy of locally produced med-tech.5

6. Promote Public-Private Partnerships: Governments should actively facilitate collaborations with health tech companies by reducing bureaucracy and financial risks.19 Integrating telemedicine and digital health solutions into national healthcare delivery strategies and purchasing models, as demonstrated by Rwanda's partnership with Babyl, is crucial for scalability and sustainability.15

By embracing these recommendations, African nations can solidify their position as leaders in localized med-tech innovation, building resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems that serve as a blueprint for global health transformation.

Works cited

1. Time For Africa To Replace The Curative Consumption Trap With Health Production Model, accessed June 30, 2025, https://healthpolicy-watch.news/time-for-africa-to-replace-the-curative-consumption-trap/

2. Transforming African Healthcare with AI: A Look at Emerging Startup, accessed June 30, 2025, https://aaeafrica.org/regional/transforming-african-healthcare-with-ai-a-look-at-emerging-startup/

3. New report reveals promising potential of digital health in Sub ..., accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/245155/new-report-reveals-promising-potential-digital/

4. Health Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: 21st Century Trends & Forecasts, accessed June 30, 2025, https://damore-mckim.northeastern.edu/news/health-care-in-sub-saharan-africa-21st-century/

5. Transforming Healthcare in Africa With MedTech | CIPS, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.cips.org/knowledge-and-insight/medtech-africa-healthcare

6. WHO Africa Country Disease Outlook - August 2023 - World | ReliefWeb, accessed June 30, 2025, https://reliefweb.int/report/world/who-africa-country-disease-outlook-august-2023

7. The Global Burden of Disease: Main Findings for Sub-Saharan Africa - World Bank, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/publication/global-burden-of-disease-findings-for-sub-saharan-africa

8. The Rise of Healthtech in Africa: Startups Transforming Access ..., accessed June 30, 2025, https://arielleforafrica.com/2025/05/26/the-rise-of-healthtech-in-africa-startups-transforming-access-affordability-and-outcomes/

9. The Rise of African Healthcare Startups: A 2025 Perspective - Madavi Agency, accessed June 30, 2025, https://madavi.co/the-rise-of-african-healthcare-startups-a-2025/

10. 2023 Africa Health Tech 50 - Holon IQ, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.holoniq.com/notes/2023-africa-health-tech-50

11. Why Building Health Startups in Africa Requires More Than Just Tech - Medium, accessed June 30, 2025, https://medium.com/@ehoneahobed/why-building-health-startups-in-africa-requires-more-than-just-tech-6369d9727ac9

12. The Rise of African Tech Startups: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions for Sustainable Growth, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.africanresearchers.org/the-rise-of-african-tech-startups-opportunities-challenges-and-solutions-for-sustainable-growth/

13. 2023 Startups - HealthTech Hub Africa, accessed June 30, 2025, https://thehealthtech.org/ventures/2023-startups/

14. www.holoniq.com, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.holoniq.com/notes/2023-africa-health-tech-50#:~:text=Emerging%20startups%20include%3A%20Healthtracka%20(digital,Health%20(home%20health%20services).

15. Healthtech Companies in Africa Were Founded in Droves Amidst the ..., accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.salientadvisory.com/insights/health-tech-companies-in-africa-were-founded-in-droves-amidst-the-pandemic-what-are-companies-doing-and-where/

16. Government of Rwanda, Babyl partner to provide digital healthcare to all Rwandans - Official Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Website, accessed June 30, 2025, https://rdb.rw/government-of-rwanda-babyl-partner-to-provide-digital-healthcare-to-all-rwandans/

17. What are the implications of Babyl Rwanda's closure for the future of Digital Health in Rwanda? - healthcare.digital, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.healthcare.digital/single-post/what-are-the-implications-of-babyl-rwanda-s-closure-for-the-future-of-digital-health-in-rwanda

18. www.holoniq.com, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.holoniq.com/notes/2023-africa-health-tech-50#:~:text=The%20last%2012%20months%20has,(at%2Dhome%20healthcare%20services)

19. African Healthcare Innovation: Local Solutions Driving Change ..., accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2025/african-healthcare-innovation/815926

20. Top 8 Biotech Startups Creating Waves in Africa in 2025 | - Scispot, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.scispot.com/blog/biotech-startups-creating-waves-in-africa

21. The Impact of 54gene's Closure on African Healthcare | Startup Graveyard, accessed June 30, 2025, https://startupgraveyard.africa/blog/the-impact-of-54genes-closure-on-african-healthcare

22. What Happened to 54gene & Why Did It Fail? - Sunset, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.sunsethq.com/blog/why-did-54gene-fail

23. List of Medical Device startups in Africa, accessed June 30, 2025, https://startuplist.africa/industry/medical-device

24. 8 Healthcare Trends Set to Shape The South African Healthcare Landscape | The Medical Education Network | eLecture, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.meded.co.za/DocumentPart/?id=7454

25. Why investment in African healthtech is set for a major decline in 2024 - ZAWYA, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.zawya.com/en/world/africa/why-investment-in-african-healthtech-is-set-for-a-major-decline-in-2024-voh229by

26. The Policy Program - HealthTech Hub Africa, accessed June 30, 2025, https://thehealthtech.org/the-policy-program/

27. Strengthening National Regulatory Authorities in Africa: A Critical Step Towards Enhancing Local Manufacturing of Vaccines and Health Products, accessed June 30, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12197664/

28. Africa's Nascent Medtech Sector Innovates Through Its Challenges | Rice360, accessed June 30, 2025, https://rice360.rice.edu/news/africas-nascent-medtech-sector-innovates-through-its-challenges

29. Barriers to scaling health technologies in sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Rwanda - ResearchGate, accessed June 30, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356601222_Barriers_to_scaling_health_technologies_in_sub-Saharan_Africa_Lessons_from_Ethiopia_Nigeria_and_Rwanda