NAIROBI, Kenya – Pharmacies are more than just pill counters in Africa—they’re often the first stop for healthcare, handling the greatest percentage of initial visits. And now, a new wave of innovation is putting them at the center of a digital revolution.
This week, Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) announced its third cohort—seven standout growth-stage startups redefining pharmacy services across the continent.
Backed by a powerhouse of sponsors including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Sanofi, and MSD, the program is throwing down up to $225,000 per innovator, with the goal of scaling impact, supercharging access, and unlocking strategic partnerships.
Let’s break it down.
Tech-Enabled Pharmacy: The New Frontline of Healthcare
i3’s new class is laser-focused on one thing: modernizing pharmacy systems across Africa. From Chefaa’s AI-powered prescription refills to Dawa Mkononi’s last-mile medicine delivery in Kenya, each startup is engineering data-driven solutions to make healthcare safer, faster, and more affordable.
The cohort, which includes myDawa, Meditect, Pharma, RxAll, and Sproxil, operates across 19 African countries. Their combined toolkit includes everything from cloud-based inventory systems to embedded financing—making medicine access smarter and more efficient.
The selection reflects i3’s recognition of pharmacies as critical to sustainable healthcare delivery. Whether it’s streamlining logistics or digitizing prescriptions, these startups are not only filling gaps in care but also creating jobs and driving economic growth along the way.
Show Me the Money—and the Deals
Innovation without backing is just a good idea. That’s why i3 isn’t stopping at grants. Alongside the funding, the program is offering tailored matchmaking with healthcare buyers, curated deal facilitation, and visibility through high-profile platforms.
And they’re playing the long game. The initiative aims to catalyze over 150 partnerships and push forward $30 million worth of deals between startups and major healthcare players.
Each cohort member will also pitch at i3’s Access to Markets summit this December, a flagship event designed to link startups with the public and private sector titans who can actually get things moving.
To date, i3 has already distributed $3 million in grants to 60 startups across 16 countries.
Beyond Buzzwords: Real Impact, Real Jobs
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. The program’s previous cohorts aren’t just making headlines—they’re creating real-world impact.
i3 reports over 450 strategic connections made, including 122 contracts and pilot programs. That’s translated into more than 1,000 jobs, half of them held by women.
These are not vanity metrics. They show what’s possible when risk-tolerant capital, public-private partnerships, and local ingenuity collide.
And as Africa continues to grow its digital health footprint, programs like i3 are laying the infrastructure for smarter, more responsive health systems.
“It’s not just about scaling tech,” said i3’s program coordinators from Salient Advisory and Solina Center for International Development and Research (SCIDaR). “It’s about embedding these solutions in real markets, where they solve real problems.”
Final Dose: Health Innovation With a Purpose
At its core, i3 is betting on bold ideas with staying power. By focusing this year’s cohort on pharmacy-centered innovation, it’s spotlighting an often overlooked piece of Africa’s healthcare puzzle—and giving it the tech tools it needs to thrive.
The takeaway? Innovation isn’t just about the latest app. It’s about understanding the systems people already use and making them better—smarter, faster, more inclusive.
With i3’s support, these seven startups are well on their way to turning prescriptions into progress.
