Sanofi, a biopharmaceutical company recently launched a quest for the best tech-preneurs in Africa to participate in its third edition of healthcare challenge; Africatech 2020. The quest came to an end on Thursday, June 11, 2020 with 5 winners from across Africa, one of which is Nigeria’s Mobihealth International, Africa’s first fully integrated telehealth electronic medical records and video app.
AfricaTech is Sanofi’s commitment to encourage and accelerate innovation, improve access to healthcare and transform the health ecosystem throughout the African continent. The competition creates a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their talent, creativity and innovation in healthcare. It started with 268 entries from 34 African countries and saw 11 startups from these 268 entries scale through to the final virtual pitch session. They were selected based on project maturity, early results, relevance of the solution, market potential and business model, as well as the skills and expertise of the team.
Mobihealth emerged winner of the challenge on how to help healthcare systems leapfrog from manual to smart logistics solutions at point of care. Mobihealth International is an innovative telemedicine and digital healthcare platform with a mission to provide subscribers timely access to quality healthcare services from around the world when they need it in the most cost-effective way, leveraging technology.
Other winners from the pitch include EYONE, a Senegalese startup offering a shared medical file where patients have access to their medical records in real time everywhere, and are then connected to 35 online health professionals that have partnered with the startup.
Kenya’s MamaPrime also won the challenge category on how to improve financing and impact of innovative health solutions in Africa. MamaPrime is a health fintech company that enables mothers and their families to prepay for their prenatal and post-natal care and child wellness services in instalments throughout their pregnancy.
Two winners also emerged from the Sanofi Espoir Foundation: How to improve maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa challenge. Teheca, a Ugandan startup which connects new and expectant mothers to qualified nurses for at-home post-natal checkups and supports by using low cost and low-tech solutions; and the University Agency Innovation (from Cameroon) which is a hub of scientific, technological and enterprise-based innovations.
Speaking at the virtual event, Ambassador Modupe Irele, Nigerian Ambassador to France, commended Sanofi for going ahead with the competition at a time like this, when the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted so many events across the globe. She reiterated the need to expediate access to quality healthcare in Africa and highlighted the importance of smart and innovative healthcare solutions that leverage technology.
Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and former Minister of Agriculture, Federal Republic of Nigeria, also took to his Twitter handle to applaud Sanofi for creating a platform for Africans to revolutionize healthcare.
About Sanofi
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.
With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.
