The Investing in Innovation (i3) Africa program has announced its third cohort of seven growth-stage startups transforming pharmacy care across the continent. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and backed by global partners including MSD, Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics (a subsidiary of the Kühne Foundation), Sanofi’s Global Health Unit, and Chemonics, i3 supports promising innovators to scale digital health solutions that improve access to pharmacy services.
This latest group of startups operates across 19 African countries and will each receive up to $225,000 in risk-tolerant grant funding, along with tailored access to market opportunities. The initiative focuses on fostering partnerships with governments, donors, institutional stakeholders, and private sector leaders to catalyze business growth and health impact.
Pharmacies are a critical entry point to healthcare in many African countries, accounting for up to 70% of first-time medical visits. Recognising this, i3 has focused this round on startups with pharmacy-centric solutions that address key challenges in medicine delivery, access, and affordability—while also contributing to job creation and economic development.
The selected startups use a wide range of tech-enabled innovations, including AI-powered prescription refills, inventory management tools, cloud-based systems, embedded financing, product verification, and last-mile delivery services. These solutions are making healthcare safer, more efficient, and accessible to underserved communities.
The selected startups are:
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Chefaa
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Dawa Mkononi
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Meditect
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mPharma
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myDawa
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RxAll
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Sproxil
These companies highlight how data-driven local innovation is strengthening African health systems and enabling more equitable care across the continent. Collectively, they show the power of scalable, regionally grounded business models that can drive both impact and economic opportunity.
Each company in the cohort will also benefit from strategic partnership facilitation, advocacy and communications support, and will participate in the Access to Markets event in December 2025, connecting them with healthcare companies, donors, governments, and multilaterals. i3 aims to support approximately 150 strategic partnerships and facilitate $30 million in health innovation deals.
Boniface Njenga, Deputy Director, Health Delivery and Systems, Africa at the Gates Foundation, commented:
“As the global health landscape continues to rapidly shift, we remain committed to supporting innovative solutions and initiatives that strengthen local health systems across Africa. The i3 program emphasises the transformative potential of technology-driven innovations on the continent when empowered with the right resources, and we have already seen impressive results from the cohorts.”
Dr. Priya Agrawal, Vice President, International Health Equity and Partnerships at MSD, stated:
“Now more than ever, investing in local healthcare businesses is essential for securing effective and sustainable medicine and vaccine distribution across Africa. MSD is committed to partnering with i3 to support entrepreneurs that are dedicated to expanding equitable healthcare access. By engaging the local private sector and meeting patients where they are, we can enhance access and strengthen health systems through fostering innovation in pharmacy services.”
Dr. Ashifi Gogo, CEO and Founder of Sproxil, added:
“It is an honor to be selected as part of the i3 cohort focused on growth-stage companies. The support of leading global life sciences and logistics companies, alongside forward-thinking foundations, is encouraging as we scale our impact. The i3 program continues to differentiate itself through the transformative power of local innovation, and I am eager to see the significant impact this cohort will undoubtedly make.”
Over the past two years, i3 has disbursed $3 million in direct grant funding to 60 startups across 16 African countries. The program has a strong track record of impact:
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43% of startups selected are women-led
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20% are Francophone-led
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Over 450 strategic connections have been facilitated
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122 contracts and pilots established
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More than $11 million in partnerships enabled
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Nearly 1,000 jobs created, half held by women
i3 is managed by Salient Advisory and SCIDaR (Solina Center for International Development and Research). Startup selection was overseen by an expert committee in collaboration with CcHUB and Villgro Africa.
To learn more about the i3 program, visit: https://innovationsinafrica.com