As public healthcare budgets face increasing strain and international funding declines, African healthtech startups are stepping in to address critical gaps in women’s healthcare. Leveraging technology and innovation, these private-sector players are improving access to essential health services, from maternal care to cancer diagnostics.
The Role of AI and Tech in Women’s Healthcare
Innovative solutions such as AI-powered diagnostics and digital health platforms are reshaping women’s healthcare across Africa. For instance, startups like Tanzania’s Iwinga Smart Solutions Ltd are using AI to analyze samples for early detection of cervical cancer, a critical issue in women’s health.
Dr. Claudine Lee, a general practitioner and diabetologist in Hilton, South Africa, underscores the pressing need for better access to speculum examinations—key for diagnosing STIs and performing pap smears. While hands-on care remains essential, she acknowledges that AI-assisted image recognition could help non-specialist providers detect cervical cancer earlier.
The potential of AI and digital tools in healthcare extends beyond diagnostics. Post-birth monitoring, neonatal care, and menstrual health solutions are also benefiting from technological advancements.
Addressing Maternal and Neonatal Health
Neonatal care remains a pressing concern, with conditions such as neonatal hypothermia posing serious risks to newborns. NeoSave Technologies, a Ugandan healthtech startup, is tackling this challenge by developing innovative neonatal care solutions. The company, recognized as a finalist in the 2024 ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) and runner-up in the Africa Young Innovators for Health Award, is on a mission to provide newborns with a healthier start in life.
“We focus on responsive healthcare interventions to ensure every newborn has a promising future,” explains Nura Izath, founder of NeoSave.
Private Investment Driving Women’s Healthcare Innovations
Despite policy commitments such as the 2001 Abuja Declaration, which aimed for African governments to allocate 15% of national budgets to healthcare, public investment remains insufficient. A 2020 UN report revealed that as of 2018, most African countries were spending between $8 and $129 per capita on healthcare—far below the $4,000+ per capita seen in high-income nations.
With government spending falling short, private-sector investment has become vital in expanding healthcare access. Organizations like the Coalition for Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA) report that 30% of childbirths in Africa occur in private facilities, underscoring the role of private healthcare providers.
The Surge of Women-Led Healthtech Startups
Encouragingly, more women-led startups are emerging in Africa’s healthtech sector. While women-founded companies still make up a small fraction—about 10% of all startups—recent trends indicate a positive shift.
Funding for women-led African startups skyrocketed in 2023, jumping from $2 million in 2022 to $52 million—a nearly 2,000% increase, according to Salient Advisory and Weetracker. This surge in investment is helping drive solutions in menstrual health, maternal care, and reproductive health services.
Tech-Driven Solutions Expanding Access
Beyond direct healthcare services, digital health platforms are also making a significant impact. Kenyan startup Malaica has developed a hybrid maternal care program connecting expectant mothers with midwives and supportive communities through a digital platform. Similarly, mPharma’s digital pharmacy networks are improving access to affordable medicines, especially in rural areas.
The Economic and Social Impact
Investing in women’s health goes beyond social impact—it also has significant economic implications. A 2019 McKinsey & Company report estimated that enhancing women’s healthcare could add $316 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025.
With private healthtech startups at the forefront of innovation, Africa is witnessing a transformation in women’s healthcare. As global investors increasingly recognize the potential of tech-driven solutions, these startups are poised to drive lasting change—ensuring women across the continent receive the care they deserve.
