Africa’s health sector is being transformed by innovators who are leveraging technology, genomics, and data to improve care, increase access, and fight critical public-health challenges.
These founders are turning bold health ideas into scalable solutions that save lives — from drug safety to genetic research and maternal care.
Here are the top 5 African entrepreneurs in health, according to active projects, measurable impact, innovation, leadership, and verified relevance across the continent. The selection is based on publicly available data, company announcements, credible media sources, and contributions validated up to Q3 2025.
— Adebayo Alonge (Nigeria): Founder and CEO of RxAll, Alonge built a deep-tech platform that uses a handheld AI-powered “RxScanner” to authenticate medicines in seconds and fight counterfeit drugs. His system connects pharmacies with verified suppliers, helping protect millions of patients.
— Abasi Ene-Obong (Nigeria): Biomedical scientist and founder of 54gene, Ene-Obong is driving African genomics forward. His work builds African genetic databases and precision medicine capabilities, addressing the underrepresentation of African DNA in global health research.
— Kidist Tesfaye (Ethiopia): Founder of YeneHealth, Tesfaye leads a women-focused digital health startup that provides accessible reproductive, maternal, and mental health services across underserved communities.
— Precious Lunga (Zimbabwe): Epidemiologist and CEO/co-founder of Baobab Circle, Lunga pioneered Afya Pap, a mobile app offering health coaching and education for chronic disease management, reaching users in several African countries.
— Melissa Bime (Cameroon): Nurse, researcher, and co-founder of Infiuss Health, Bime’s platform connects clinical trial researchers with participants across Africa, boosting representation in medical research and accelerating access to new therapies.
These entrepreneurs illustrate how vision, science, and determination can reshape healthcare on the continent, improving safety, equity, and innovation while building systems that respond to Africa’s unique challenges.
Image Credit: Robertf.smith.org
