10 Incubators Supporting African Health Entrepreneurs

"He who wants to go far must walk with others" — African proverb

So, you’ve got a brilliant healthtech idea. Maybe it’s an app that delivers ARV meds to doorsteps in Nairobi, or a chatbot that diagnoses malaria symptoms in Ibadan. You’ve coded the prototype, harassed your cousin to beta test, and even pitched it at your cousin’s wedding. Now what?

Well, my dear HealthPreneur, you don’t need to suffer in silence like a patient in a long queue at Mulago Hospital. The ecosystem has evolved. Africa now boasts incubators and accelerators that understand our peculiar challenges—yes, even when NEPA takes light in the middle of your Zoom pitch.

Here are 10 incubators that are not only supporting African health entrepreneurs—but actually rooting for them.

1. Villgro Africa (Kenya, East Africa)

Website: https://villgroafrica.org

Villgro is like that elder who doesn’t just give you advice—they give you capital, mentorship, and connections. Since 2015, they’ve backed health and life science startups tackling access, affordability, and innovation.

📚 Villgro Africa. (2024). Health innovation with impact. https://villgroafrica.org

2. The Baobab Network (Pan-Africa)

Website: https://thebaobabnetwork.com

Every week they say they’re investing in "the next African tech giants." Baobab dishes out $50,000 in early-stage funding plus mentorship. Healthtechs like Dawa Health and Clafiya have passed through here.

📚 The Baobab Network. (2024). Backing Africa’s boldest startups. https://thebaobabnetwork.com

3. Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) – Nigeria & Kenya

Website: https://cchub.africa

If you haven’t heard of CcHub, are you even in African tech? From Lagos to Kigali, they run accelerators focused on health innovation, AI, and policy. They also powered the i-HQ innovation hub in Yaba.

📚 Co-Creation Hub. (2024). Building smart African solutions. https://cchub.africa

4. eHealth Africa Incubator (Nigeria)

Website: https://www.ehealthafrica.org

Based in Kano but globally focused, this initiative backs solutions in data, diagnostics, and logistics. They understand health systems that run on WhatsApp, paper files, and prayers.

📚 eHealth Africa. (2024). Health solutions for underserved communities. https://www.ehealthafrica.org

5. BioInnovate Africa (East Africa)

Website: https://bioinnovate-africa.org

This one is a bit bougie—biosciences, diagnostics, agri-health tech. Based at ILRI in Nairobi, they fund scientists and innovators turning research into products.

📚 BioInnovate Africa. (2024). Driving bioscience innovation in East Africa. https://bioinnovate-africa.org

6. Merck Accelerator Africa

Website: https://accelerator.merckgroup.com

Yes, the German pharma giant. They run programmes in Nairobi and Lagos focusing on digital health, diagnostics, and AI in healthcare. You might even end up in Germany with your startup—passport willing.

📚 Merck Accelerator. (2024). Startup programs for digital health in Africa. https://accelerator.merckgroup.com

7. i3 (Investing in Innovation Africa)

Website: https://innovationsinafrica.com

Backed by the Gates Foundation, i3 provides $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to health supply chain innovators. If you’ve figured out how to move vaccines from Accra to Tamale without them melting, i3 wants your number.

📚 Investing in Innovation Africa. (2024). Supporting health supply chain innovation. https://innovationsinafrica.com

8. Impact Hub (Africa Chapters)

Website: https://impacthub.net

Impact Hub has branches in cities like Accra, Kigali, Lagos, and Joburg. They run startup programmes and host events for healthtechs looking to scale in the impact space. Bring your idea—and your pitch deck.

📚 Impact Hub. (2024). Where change goes to work. https://impacthub.net

9. HealthTech Hub Africa – Kigali, Rwanda

Website: https://healthtechhuba.org

Housed at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, this accelerator is a digital health nerd’s paradise. They support startups working on telemedicine, NCDs, and AI-powered diagnostics.

📚 HealthTech Hub Africa. (2024). Accelerating inclusive digital health in Africa. https://healthtechhuba.org

10. mLab Southern Africa (South Africa)

Website: https://www.mlab.co.za

From Tshwane to Limpopo, mLab supports mobile and digital health solutions through innovation challenges and technical support. They know that even the best health app still needs UX that your grandmother can use.

📚 mLab SA. (2024). Digital innovation for social impact. https://www.mlab.co.za

Why It Matters: Beyond Vibes and Vision Boards

You may have the best health startup idea since sliced antibiotics, but without guidance, you’ll burn out faster than your 3G data bundle. Incubators are the bridge between napkin doodles and scalable solutions. They offer something African innovators rarely get in public hospitals: support, attention, and small-small funding.

And in case you’re wondering—no, not all incubators are created equal. Look for those that get the nuances of African health systems: last-mile logistics, offline-first apps, mobile money integration, and the politics of hospital gatekeepers.

Final Word: No Founder Is an Island

"Even the best soap needs water to lather." — African proverb

You may have genius. You may even have a cousin who codes. But until you plug into the right incubator, your health innovation may stay stuck in your head—or worse, in your Google Drive.

So reach out. Apply. Pitch. Get rejected. Apply again. That's how empires are built.

And remember: Africa doesn't just need health solutions—it needs health solutions built by us, for us, with us.

References

BioInnovate Africa. (2024). Driving bioscience innovation in East Africa. https://bioinnovate-africa.org
Co-Creation Hub. (2024). Building smart African solutions. https://cchub.africa
eHealth Africa. (2024). Health solutions for underserved communities. https://www.ehealthafrica.org
HealthTech Hub Africa. (2024). Accelerating inclusive digital health in Africa. https://healthtechhuba.org
Impact Hub. (2024). Where change goes to work. https://impacthub.net
Investing in Innovation Africa. (2024). Supporting health supply chain innovation. https://innovationsinafrica.com
Merck Accelerator. (2024). Startup programs for digital health in Africa. https://accelerator.merckgroup.com
mLab South Africa. (2024). Digital innovation for social impact. https://www.mlab.co.za
The Baobab Network. (2024). Backing Africa’s boldest startups. https://thebaobabnetwork.com
Villgro Africa. (2024). Health innovation with impact. https://villgroafrica.org