The Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) program has unveiled its third cohort, selecting seven growth-stage health-tech startups working across 19 African countries to enhance pharmacy care and access to essential medicines. The cohort will receive up to $225,000 in risk-tolerant grants, market access support, and strategic partnership facilitation, with backing from major global organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora, Sanofi, Chemonics, Endless Foundation, and HELP Logistics.
The i3 initiative, now in its third year, supports innovators building solutions that address core challenges in the continent’s pharmaceutical value chain – from last-mile delivery and prescription refill automation to inventory management and medicine authentication. These services are essential, particularly because pharmacies in Africa handle up to 70% of initial healthcare interactions, often serving as the first point of contact for millions seeking treatment.
The Seven Startups Selected for 2025
The selected startups reflect a strong focus on technology-driven, scalable, and locally relevant models. They are:
- Chefaa (Egypt) – Offers AI-powered, GPS-enabled e-prescription refills and telepharmacy services with fulfillment via a wide pharmacy network.
- Dawa Mkononi (Tanzania) – A B2B pharma supply platform using embedded credit and real-time inventory tech to enable compliant procurement.
- Meditect (Francophone Africa) – Provides a cloud-based SaaS platform for pharmacy digitization and analytics, with instant financing.
- mPharma (Pan-African) – Operates a network of tech-enabled retail pharmacies offering inventory support and low-cost primary care.
- myDawa (Kenya) – A hybrid physical-digital healthcare provider that integrates manufacturing, telehealth, and diagnostics under one platform.
- RxAll (Pan-African) – Combines AI drug authentication, digital marketplaces, and embedded credit for pharmacies across Africa.
- Sproxil (Pan-African) – Started as an anti-counterfeit SMS service, now offers a wide suite including real-time pharma data and AI patient engagement.
These startups are tackling persistent inefficiencies in medicine availability, safety, affordability, and system-wide transparency – using data analytics, cloud platforms, and embedded fintech tools.
Strategic Support and Ecosystem Building
Each company will benefit from:
- Up to $225,000 in grant funding
- Tailored customer and stakeholder introductions
- Bespoke communications and advocacy support
- Deal facilitation with donors, public sector buyers, and pharmaceutical companies
The program is managed by Salient Advisory and SCIDaR, with startup selection supported by CcHUB and Villgro Africa.
This year’s cohort joins a growing network of past innovators that have already secured over $11 million in partnerships, created nearly 1,000 jobs (half held by women), and facilitated 122 pilots and contracts.
Why Pharmacy-Focused Innovation Matters
Boniface Njenga of the Gates Foundation emphasized the urgency:
“The i3 program underscores the power of African-led innovation when equipped with the right support systems. Pharmacies are central to health access, and empowering innovators in this space is critical.”
MSD’s Dr. Priya Agrawal added:
“Supporting local companies that bring medicine and vaccines closer to patients is key to long-term system resilience.”
Looking Ahead
The selected startups will convene at i3’s flagship Access to Markets event in December 2025, where they will engage potential partners across public health institutions, global donors, and multinationals. i3 expects to facilitate approximately 150 strategic engagements and influence up to $30 million in deal value through this initiative.
With Africa’s health systems under pressure from population growth and persistent access gaps, the i3 program provides a rare example of targeted, private-public collaboration to scale locally grounded, tech-driven pharmacy care models.
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