Kigali, Rwanda – November 9th, 2024 - Today, the timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, announced the official launch of the HealthTech Hub, dedicated to advancing health innovations across Africa. The launch took place at the 2024 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, bringing together government officials, development partners, private sector, and stakeholders transforming Africa’s healthcare. 

Rwanda’s President, H.E. Paul Kagame graced the occasion and offered powerful remarks on the role of African youth in addressing healthcare challenges. He emphasized the need for scaling up such initiatives, stating, "We have to put in more energy, resources and ideas and scale it up to reach wherever we intend and for many to benefit from it.” 

The UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Africa Regional Director, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, emphasized the significance of nurturing our youth, stating, “We need to come together and understand the power of what we’ve got in the talent of young Africans. By investing in youth-driven innovation, we can lift communities out of poverty and build a prosperous future.”

During the launch, the first cohort of 40 young innovators from 21 African countries was unveiled, selected from over 957 applicants, to participate in the startup accelerator programme that is designed to provide early-stage startups with comprehensive support, including access to mentorship, funding, and cutting-edge resources. Based in Kigali, the hub will empower innovators to address Africa's pressing healthcare challenges through cutting-edge health technologies and transformative solutions.

The Executive Secretary of timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, Ms. Natalie Jabangwe urged the young innovators to take advantage of the hub, stating, “Make no small plans. This is your hub, and this is your moment to dream big and transform our continent for generations to come.”

The Pan-African HealthTech Hub is one of the 10 thematic hubs under the timbuktoo initiative, which aims to rapidly scale African health startups for global markets. The Hub will address systemic barriers, ensuring that health innovations are developed, scaled, and sustained within the diverse healthcare landscapes across the continent.