A new wave of healthcare leaders are emerging in Africa—women who are building hospitals, pioneering telemedicine platforms, and transforming how essential medical services reach millions.
These trailblazing entrepreneurs are tackling long-standing challenges in healthcare access, infrastructure, and affordability with innovation, compassion, and determination.
From life-saving logistics and digital consultations to specialized clinics and mobile health solutions, these five exceptional women are reshaping the healthcare landscape and delivering impact where it matters most. Here are the top five female entrepreneurs driving change in Africa’s healthcare and medical services sector.
1. Dr. Ola Brown (Orekunrin) – Nigeria
Founder: Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company (FDHIC)
Focus: Air ambulance services, hospital infrastructure, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and health tech investments
Dr. Ola Brown established West Africa’s first indigenous air ambulance service, Flying Doctors Nigeria, to address the lack of emergency medical transport. Her company has since expanded into a broader investment platform, FDHIC, which operates across the healthcare value chain, including hospital construction, diagnostics, pharmaceutical retail, and health technology.
2. Temie Giwa-Tubosun – Nigeria
Founder: LifeBank
Focus: Medical supply chain logistics, including blood, oxygen, and vaccines
Temie founded LifeBank to tackle the critical issue of blood shortages in Nigerian hospitals. Utilizing technology and data, LifeBank ensures timely delivery of essential medical supplies. The company has expanded its services to include oxygen and vaccine delivery, playing a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Dr. Funmi Adewara – Nigeria
Founder: Mobihealth International
Focus: Telemedicine and digital healthcare services
Dr. Adewara’s Mobihealth International is a pioneering telemedicine platform that connects patients in Africa with doctors worldwide through video consultations. The platform aims to bridge the healthcare access gap, especially in underserved communities, by leveraging technology to provide affordable and timely medical consultations.
4. Dr. Jacqueline Kiage – Kenya
Founder: Innovation Eye Centre
Focus: Affordable eye care and surgery
Dr. Kiage established the Innovation Eye Centre in rural Kenya to combat preventable blindness. Her clinic offers accessible and affordable eye care services, including surgeries, to underserved populations, significantly improving eye health in the region.
5. Dr. Precious Lunga – Zimbabwe
Co-Founder & CEO: Baobab Circle
Focus: Digital health education and chronic disease management
Dr. Lunga leads Baobab Circle, the company behind Afya Pap, a mobile app providing personalized health education and coaching on chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The app is utilized across several African countries, promoting better health outcomes through accessible digital solutions.
