Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) announced on Wednesday that it will invest up to $225,000 in seven healthtech startups aimed at improving pharmacy services across 19 African countries.
This funding is part of i3’s third cohort, dedicated to supporting innovative solutions designed to enhance healthcare access and delivery through technology.
The selected startups-Chefaa, Dawa Mkononi, Meditect, mPharma, myDawa, RxAll, and Sproxil-offer services such as AI-powered prescription refills, last-mile delivery, and cloud-based pharmacy management systems.
With pharmacies managing over 70 percent of first medical visits in Africa, this industry is strategically important for i3’s initiatives.
The program, supported by major organisations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora, and others, targets $30 million in deals and aims to foster 150 partnerships over three years to stimulate healthcare improvements and job creation.
Scale your healthcare innovation with i3’s funding and global network
The i3 program provides grant funding and connects startups with global healthcare organisations, governments, and donors to help scale their impact. This includes market access, partnership readiness support, and assistance meeting regulatory requirements such as WHO pre-qualification. The startups will present their solutions at i3’s access to markets event scheduled for December 2025, seeking partnerships to expand their reach and effectiveness across the continent.
Boniface Njenga, Deputy Director of Health Delivery and Systems at the Gates Foundation, emphasised the importance of technology-driven innovations in strengthening local health systems in Africa. He stated, “The i3 program emphasises the transformative potential of technology-driven innovations on the continent when empowered with the right resources, and we have already seen impressive results from the cohorts.”
Similarly, Dr Priya Agrawal, Vice President of International Health Equity and Partnerships at MSD, highlighted the necessity of continued support despite reductions in foreign aid, underscoring the program’s role in sustaining health tech innovation.
This focused investment by i3 signals a commitment to nurturing scalable healthtech solutions that can address persistent challenges in African healthcare delivery, particularly in pharmacy services, which serve as a frontline for patient care.
