At the crossroads of science, technology, and impact, a growing number of African women are leading groundbreaking ventures in biotechnology and life sciences.
These visionary entrepreneurs are harnessing research, innovation, and indigenous knowledge to tackle pressing health challenges—from malnutrition and cancer recovery to diagnostics and regenerative medicine.
Through pioneering startups, academic leadership, and cutting-edge medical solutions, they are redefining healthcare delivery and scientific entrepreneurship across the continent.
Meet five trailblazing women transforming Africa’s biotech landscape and inspiring the next generation of female scientists and innovators.
1. Nneile Nkholise (South Africa)
Founder: iMed Tech Group
Focus: Custom medical prosthetics using 3D printing and CAD/CAM technologies
Nneile Nkholise, a mechanical engineer, established iMed Tech Group in 2015 to design and manufacture custom-made medical solutions, including breast and facial prostheses for cancer and burn victims. Her company stands out for employing African women under 30 with research backgrounds in mechanical engineering. Nkholise has been recognized as Africa’s top female innovator at the World Economic Forum on Africa in 2016 and was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018.
2. Dr. Dorothy Nakimbugwe (Uganda)
Founder: Nutreal Limited
Focus: Insect-based protein products to combat malnutrition
Dr. Nakimbugwe, an Associate Professor at Makerere University, founded Nutreal Limited to develop nutritious food products enriched with insect-based proteins from grasshoppers and crickets. Her research focuses on unlocking the potential of insects as alternative protein sources, leading to affordable innovations addressing malnutrition and dietary needs in urban and peri-urban communities.
3. Dr. Olayemi Dawodu (Nigeria)
Managing Director/CEO: Clina-Lancet Laboratories
Focus: Medical diagnostics and laboratory services
Dr. Dawodu leads Clina-Lancet Laboratories, a part of the Cerba-Lancet Healthcare group, providing comprehensive diagnostic and pathology services in Nigeria. Under her leadership, the laboratory has expanded its services, ensuring accurate and timely medical testing, which is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.
4. Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson (Nigeria)
Founder/CEO: Healthtracka
Focus: At-home medical diagnostics and digital health solutions
With a background in biochemistry, Ifeoluwa founded Healthtracka to make medical diagnostics accessible and affordable through at-home lab testing and virtual consultations. The company offers services like STD tests, wellness tests, and hormonal tests, including an at-home HPV self-sampling kit for cervical cancer screening. Healthtracka aims to reverse the rise in non-communicable diseases in Africa by providing on-demand health tests.
5. Professor Keolebogile Shirley Motaung (South Africa)
Founder: Global Health Biotech (PTY) Ltd
Focus: Tissue engineering and commercialization of biomedical research
Professor Keolebogile Shirley Motaung is a biomedical scientist and the Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Durban University of Technology. In 2015, she founded Global Health Biotech (PTY) Ltd, leveraging her research on medicinal plants for tissue engineering of bone and cartilage. Her company aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and market-ready health products, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the biomedical field. Professor Motaung has received numerous accolades, including the Shining Light Award for Science and Technology from the Motsepe Foundation in 2020, and the Research for Innovation Award from the National Science and Technology Forum in 2018.
