The Africa Young Innovators for Health Award

The Africa Young Innovators for Health Award is the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and Speak Up Africa‘s flagship program focused on supporting young health entrepreneurs across Africa with the tools they need to advance promising healthcare solutions for the betterment of their communities.

Launched in 2021, the 1st edition of the Award focused on solutions that supported, equipped, protected, and trained healthcare workers working tirelessly to protect and treat the public amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the 2nd edition of the Award, we seek to find and nurture health innovations that will help us get closer to the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). UHC means everyone has access to the healthcare services that they need, of good quality and without the risk of financial hardship (WHO 2007).

Bringing innovations to life to achieve Universal Health Coverage in Africa

Whilst many African countries have shown their commitment to achieving UHC by 2030, progress towards attaining this goal has stalled in the past year, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating already strained health systems. In a bid to accelerate efforts to reach global goals dedicated to providing healthcare to anyone who needs it, the 2^nd edition of the award program is promotes innovations that can help:

Extend population coverage (who receives services, linked to equity and non-discrimination)
Extend service coverage (what health services are available)
Ensure financial protection (ensuring health services do not lead to poverty).

The Prize

In support of gender equality we are ensuring that both genders will benefit equally from the Award program, this means two men and two women will be selected for the 1st and 2nd prize:

$90 000

Funding totaling $90,000.
2 X 1st prizes of $30,000 and 2 X 2nd prizes of $15,000

Mentorship

A three-month business mentorship program from prominent business leaders

IP rights

Expert advice on IP rights and other related legal matters

Media exposure

Media training, increased PR and press opportunities to present your innovation to global audience

Global network

Access to a network of supporters and partners working across healthcare, technology, and media

A glimpse into Intellectual Property rights
For aspiring health innovators, safeguarding your groundbreaking ideas is essential. Our Young Innovators for Health Award program provides expert guidance on navigating the patent landscape to protect your intellectual property. Leading law firm, Adams and Adams is an Award supporter and in this video, patent attorney, James Davies, offers valuable insights on intellectual property for entrepreneurs and prospective applicants.
VIEW THE VIDEO

Hear from our previous winners

“This award will go a long way to help us build a solid foundation…. Once more, we are very grateful and also looking forward to the mentorship program as well, which will certainly give us the right skill set and make this venture impact millions in Africa which is actually our mission and dream.”

1st Prize:
Conrad Tankou, Global Innovation and Creative Space (GIC Space), Cameroon

“Being a part of the Woman Innovators Incubator was a valuable opportunity to build my knowledge on the essential aspects of my business that needed to be improved upon. Through the program, I have been able to explore company and development areas such as business negotiations and CEO cooperation basic skills to ensure our investment readiness for the future.”

Women Innovators Incubator participant:
Angella Kyomugisha, Kaaro Health Uganda Limited, Uganda

“This award and the financial prize that comes with it, we seek to expand our platform so that we can handle more. We look forward that this innovation will aspire better patient outcomes…and even make health care workers get the knowledge that is contextualized to their local settings.”

2nd Prize:
John Mwangi, Daktari Media Africa, Kenya

“Through the program, I have been able to receive guidance on different aspects of MobiCare to attract more users. With the help of my business mentor, we have been able to build a platform for hospital receptionists to use and manage appointments for doctors as well.”

Women Innovators Incubator participant:
Nuriat Nambogo, MobiCare, Uganda

“We are really happy for this award-we will use the funding from this program to accelerate development & scale particularly protected intellectual property and investing in world class medical knowledge API.”

3rd Prize:
Imodoye Abioro, Healthbotics Limited, Nigeria

“I was very happy with the insight and skills that I gained through the Woman Innovators Incubator program and the network I have been able to create and extend. I was able to deeply discuss topics like value product, operations and customer segments for the benefit and growth of my business.”

Women Innovators Incubator participant:
Marie-Chantal Umunyana, Umubyeyi Elevate, Rwanda

The Award community

The Award community gathers prominent global health influencers, policymakers, organizations, top-tier business leaders, and international, pan-African, and national media partners who believe in the power of African youth to deliver change. Together, we join forces to support young African innovators in advancing healthcare in Africa. Amongst members of the community:

What the community say about the program

“To find local solutions to the patients’ experiences and healthcare workers’ problems, we are witnessing the burgeoning of entrepreneurs in this sector across the continent, especially young innovators whose growing talent is well established. Giving them opportunities to develop their ideas and their expertise through initiatives such as this Award program is to be commended.”

Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Minister of State of Senegal and Chair of the scientific committee for the Galien Forum Africa.

“Witnessing first-hand the wealth of entrepreneurial talent which exists I’m allowed to say that the future of healthcare in Africa is very promising.”

Karim Bendhaou, Head of Africa Bureau, Merck group and IFPMA Africa Engagement Committee Chair.

“There could be no better time to draw on the rich human capital, especially among young people to find solutions to problems we are faced with.”

Dr. Lindiwe Makubalo, Africa Regional Office, World Health Organization.

“Moving forward will be to learn from the young innovators and provide the support needed for them to succeed because their success is important for the continent and the next generation.”

Carl Manlan, Vice President, Inclusive Impact & Sustainability, Central & Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa · Visa.