Seven high-growth startups from across the continent have been selected to join the third cohort of Investing in Innovation Africa (i3), a pan-African initiative supporting visionary companies reshaping access to pharmacy care. Backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and leading global health stakeholders, the program is channeling resources and partnerships to local innovators revolutionizing Africa’s pharmacy ecosystem.
With operations spanning 19 African countries, this latest cohort represents a new wave of healthtech solutions targeting Africa’s most pressing pharmaceutical challenges. From AI-powered prescription systems and cloud-based pharmacy tools to embedded financing and last-mile delivery, these startups are rethinking how essential medicines and health services reach the last mile.
Funding That Fuels Impact
Each selected startup will receive up to $225,000 in non-dilutive funding, alongside access to strategic partnerships, tailored business development support, and participation in the 2025 Access to Markets event. The program is designed to unlock over $30 million in partnership value across public and private healthcare sectors and accelerate business-to-business and business-to-government collaborations.
The sponsors behind i3—MSD, Sanofi, Cencora, Chemonics, Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics (Kühne Foundation), and the Gates Foundation—are investing not just in technology, but in building sustainable, scalable systems of care.
“Local innovators are critical to delivering quality health services in Africa,” said Boniface Njenga, deputy director for Health Delivery and Systems in Africa at the Gates Foundation. “i3 enables these businesses to grow while strengthening the continent’s health resilience.”
Meet the Startups
The third i3 cohort includes:
- Chefaa
- Dawa Mkononi
- Meditect
- mPharma
- myDawa
- RxAll
- Sproxil
Each brings unique capabilities to the table—ranging from counterfeit drug detection and mobile prescription services to intelligent inventory management systems.
Dr. Ashifi Gogo, founder and CEO of Sproxil, emphasized the value of the program:
“Being part of this cohort is more than recognition—it’s a gateway to scale, partnership, and systemic impact.”
Beyond Grants: A Platform for Growth
Unlike typical startup accelerators, i3 focuses on commercial enablement—connecting startups with high-level stakeholders, from government ministries to international donors and pharmaceutical giants. The initiative also places strong emphasis on inclusivity: 43% of past cohorts have been women-led, and 20% Francophone-led.
Since its inception, i3 has distributed $3 million in funding and facilitated over 450 strategic connections, resulting in 122 commercial contracts and pilot programs. These partnerships have led to more than 1,000 jobs, half of which were held by women.
Dr. Priya Agrawal, VP of International Health Equity at MSD, notes, “Partnering with locally rooted healthtech companies is one of the most effective ways to enhance medicine and vaccine access across Africa.”
Reimagining Pharmacy Care in Africa
In a continent where 70% of initial healthcare visits occur at pharmacies, empowering pharmacy-focused healthtech startups is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. By bridging critical delivery gaps and enabling digital transformation at scale, i3’s third cohort is poised to change how millions of Africans access the care they need.
