Bridging the Gap: How African Startups Are Fighting Medication Scarcity By Transforming Healthcare Access

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa is still battling for affordable and accessible medicines, which are crucial for building a healthy society, regardless of socioeconomic status. Public health has been relying on imported pharmaceuticals, which were severely disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, new ways of combating the scarcity of medical resources have emerged. With digital technologies, the African startup scene is transforming healthcare ecosystem. From drone deliveries in Rwanda to Ghana’s medical supply platform, harvested logistics data offer practical insights for policymakers and donors to detect medical shortages early. Even though innovating is faster than ever, it is still a long journey. The African healthcare ecosystem needs to collaborate with private and public sectors that prioritize local innovation, to scale and sustain long-term solutions for better lives of their citizens. This article looks closely at the challenges regarding medical scarcity, and offers potential solutions and examples of successful businesses pioneering the pharmaceutical field.

The Business and Cultural Contributors of Medicine Scarcity

The stability of the African healthcare system was largely shaken during the year 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Africa imports over 70% of its medicine, including vaccines – the essential tool for combating the health crisis – mostly from Asian countries. Recovering from the past events is not easy, since trying to establish local manufacturing is currently taking place solely in 8 countries where the 690 crucial pharmaceutical plants are located. Holding 85% of the reserve, a significant portion of the continent is disadvantaged, particularly rural areas. As one of the most influential fertility experts in Africa, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi from Nigeria stated in a recent Stanford Business School article:

“Access is still the greatest challenge to health care delivery in Africa. Fewer than 50% of Africans have access to modern health facilities. Many African countries spend less than 10% of their GDP on health care. Also, there is a shortage of trained health care professionals from Africa because many of them prefer to live and work in places like the U.S. and Europe.”

Culturally, the perception of pharmacies being treated like “urban luxuries” still persists in many regions. Taboos around illness, gender roles in caregiving, and trust in alternative medicine are complicating the innovation’s reach. Oftentimes, a lack of information is the main obstacle in healthcare progress, which is one of the main goals that African startups have begun to reshape. From advocacy to direct healthcare delivery, localized and culturally relevant entrepreneurship is the one changing the narrative and breaking stereotypes.

Ghana versus United Kingdom; physicians and professional nurses monthly salary comparison chart

Distribution and Policy Barriers

As with every new major reform in a country’s system, it takes time to adjust for the change.

Every day, local entrepreneurs continue to face harsh logistical and policy challenges. Weak transportation networks, limited digital infrastructure, and lack of access to capital all hinder the necessary scalability.

Similar issues occur with drug licensing regulations, lack of transparent data, and different cross-border operations across African countries. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often require additional legal navigation due to administrative burdens, adding up more expenses for those already overwhelmed by the system.

Despite the current situation, local startups continue to emerge, driven by desire and vision for sustainable change.

African Startups Pioneering Access

Zipline (Rwanda and Ghana) – Drone-Based Delivery
One of the most internationally recognized African startups, Zipline uses drones to deliver blood, vaccines, and other essential medications to remote clinics both in Rwanda and Ghana by local pilots. Zipline has partnered with both governments and is working with the local engineering group. A study by the Ghanaian Ministry of Health and Zipline found a 56% reduction in maternal deaths in Northern Ghana, decreased emergency visits, and perceived improvements to healthcare access from both patients and providers.
This innovative idea shows that, despite logistics challenges, you can still make a difference.

mPharma (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya) – Affordable Drug Access Platform
mPharma is another leading startup transforming pharmacy access in Africa. Based in Ghana, it connects patients, pharmacies, and suppliers through a platform that negotiates bulk drug prices, tracks inventory, and is responsible for rigorous quality control. It also gives an opportunity for small pharmacies, often family-run businesses, to become part of the network, supporting financial security and opportunities without any obstacles.
The company operates in 9 African countries, secured partnerships with over 155 hospitals and 850 pharmacies, making it one of the most trusted medical networks nationally.

Clinic Plus (Uganda) – Digitizing Clinics
Founded in Uganda, Clinic Plus is a software designed specifically for the African healthcare environment, which equips clinics and hospitals with secure digital tools, such as patient and drug management, that help manage the local facilities and support the healthcare providers in delivering better patient care, working with over 32 active clinics.

Strategic Recommendations

Thanks to the success of these enterprises, several patterns emerge that can help identify the blueprint for scaling the industry even faster and more efficiently.

Embrace Technologic Logistics
The most impactful solutions operate close to the communities they serve. Whether through drones, mobile apps, or text message alerts, policymakers should prioritize real local connection and data transparency sharing to support the advancement of such models.

Localize Innovation
African entrepreneurs have a unique cultural insight that global firms often miss. Supporting local innovators through government financial grants and partnerships can help scale culturally effective solutions that are more likely to be adopted by customers.

Standardize Regional Regulation
African regional economic communities (RECs), such as ECOWAS and the EAC, should work to optimize drug licensing and digital health standards. This would enable cross-border expansion of startups and unite all the legal processes, which would not only save time, but could save the lives of people in critical states requiring immediate care.

Support Female and Youth Founders
Youth and women-led startups are particularly active in this space, yet they still face barriers in accessing capital and training. Targeted mentorship programs and inclusive funds can foster more equal entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Facilitate Dialogue Between Startups and Health Ministries
National health strategies should formally include startup contributions and findings. Innovation councils, health data sharing platforms, and pilot programs can create bridges between traditional public systems and the private sector.

Key Solutions Ranked First in Afrika, Int J Gen Med. 2019 Nov 6;12:395–403. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S223882

African Solutions for African People

A battle for a better medical system in Sub-Saharan Africa does not only benefit the public health system, but is also flourishing with business opportunities directly from cultural understanding and local wisdom. African startups’ community-driven innovation proves effective, sustainable entrepreneurship that is already improving access to healthcare, even in the most rural regions.

Now it’s more important than ever for all donors, government bodies, and international partners to actively support and invest in the future of healthcare in Africa, and keep up with the pace of innovation. As this article has shown, the continent already has many tested and verified strategies to do so.

Cover Image Credit: Emma Orfánusová

Resources

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