LocationsWomen in HealthTech: 10 Women Shaping the Future of Health in Africa
March 7, 2025
In honor of International Women’s Day, this article shines a spotlight on 10 remarkable women who are impacting and shaping health innovation across the African continent. These trailblazers, recently inducted into the timbuktoo HealthTech Hub, are leading the charge in transforming healthcare. From Co-founders to Chief Product Officers, they hold diverse roles within their startups, each contributing to groundbreaking solutions that are transforming lives, improving women’s health, reducing mortality rates, and addressing gender disparities in healthcare.
Research consistently shows that investing in women and girls is a powerful driver of the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet global inequalities persist: it will take an estimated 137 years to end extreme poverty for women and 257 years to close the pay gap between women and men. To accelerate progress, strategic investments in today’s female innovators are crucial.
The timbuktoo HealthTech Hub is addressing these challenges by supporting women-led startups and those focused on advancing women’s health. One such startup which is advancing women’s health is Malaica, a maternal HealthTech startup providing affordable and safe pregnancy support through a hybrid care model. Their services—ranging from antenatal care (ANC) to postnatal care (PNC), delivery assistance, and access to medical professionals—empower women to navigate pregnancy with greater safety and confidence.
As we mark International Women's Day, join us to celebrate these women advancing health innovations #ForAllWomenandGirls
Meet the 10 Women Pioneering Health Innovation
These ten women are leading innovations in healthcare, addressing diverse areas such as sustainable beauty solutions, enhancing communication among healthcare workers, improving accessibility and affordability, advancing telehealth platforms, developing assistive devices for individuals with disabilities, creating antimicrobial textiles, conducting pivotal research, promoting sexual and reproductive health, and facilitating rapid testing. Their collective efforts are driving significant advancements across the healthcare sector, aiming to improve outcomes and accessibility for all.
Elizabeth Ahumuza, Co-founder, Igafri Ltd (Rwanda)
Nomahlubi Nompunga, Founder and Formulation Scientist, Foi Science, (South Africa)
Aline Nicole Uwamariya, Co-founder, Geuza Ltd (Rwanda)
Dr. Funmi Adewara, Founder Mobihealth International (Nigeria)
Sia Cha kanda, Co-founder, - KeneCare Virtual Hospital (Sierra Leone)
Aissatou Diallo, Founder of Askcare (Senegal)
Rorisang Nompunga of PREVA (Lesotho)
Jessica Nkubito, Co-founder, Fem & Hom Health (Rwanda)
Daisy Isiaho, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Zuri Health (Kenya)
Segametsi Songwane, Founder and CEO, Gideon Inno Textiles (South Africa)
The startups featured showcase how women are shaping the future of healthcare across Africa with impactful solutions. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us celebrate the transformative power of women-led and women-focused innovations in healthcare – a driving force that is building healthier societies and paving the way for a brighter future for all.
Join the global movement "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment" as we mark International Women's Day on 8 March 2025. Use the hashtag #ForAllWomenAndGirls to amplify the call for transformative change.
