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In 2025, Africa's healthtech sector is flourishing, driven by innovative startups that are enhancing healthcare access, quality, and affordability through advanced technologies.

Many of these companies are capitalizing on key trends like artificial intelligence (AI)-powered diagnostics, the growth of telemedicine, local manufacturing, as well as robust investment support.

As the continent grapples with ongoing healthcare challenges – from infectious diseases to limited rural access – technology is proving to be a powerful equalizer.

Connecting Africa has identified five African healthtech startups using key trends to enhance healthcare access across the continent in 2025.

Mobile-first telemedicine refers to the approach of delivering healthcare services primarily through mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

This method leverages the widespread use of mobile technology to make healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Zuri Health uses this trend by providing affordable healthcare access through SMS, WhatsApp, and a dedicated app.

The company has collaborated with more than 16 mobile network operators across seven countries, connecting its patients to doctors, labs and pharmacies.

Zuri Health's mobile-first approach exemplifies the telemedicine trend, overcoming infrastructure barriers and reaching underserved populations across Africa.

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AI-driven diagnostics is transforming the healthtech landscape by enhancing the accuracy, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services.

AI algorithms analyze medical images like X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans etc. with high precision, often detecting abnormalities that might be missed by the human eye.

This leads to more accurate diagnoses and better-informed treatment plans.

AI can identify early signs of diseases, enabling timely interventions and improving patient outcomes. 

Babyl Rwanda, a division of the digital health company Babylon, enhances healthcare efficiency and accessibility by utilizing AI-powered tools.

In collaboration with the Rwandan government, Babyl digitizes healthcare delivery and helps to alleviate the burden on medical personnel.

This integration of AI highlights the continent's increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and care.

Investment-fueled digital healthcare platforms are initiatives and startups that leverage substantial financial backing to develop and deploy digital health solutions.

Related:Hot startup of the month: Kenya's TIBU Health

These platforms aim to improve healthcare access, quality, and efficiency across the continent.

Vezeeta offers a comprehensive digital healthcare concierge connecting patients with doctors and pharmacies.

With over US$60 million in funding, Vezeeta provides virtual consultations, home visits, and medication delivery.

Its rapid expansion across Africa highlights the critical role of investment and scalable digital platforms in healthtech's growth.

Local manufacturing with 3D printing leverages additive manufacturing technology to create medical devices, prosthetics, implants, and even bio-printed tissues and organs on-site, rather than relying on centralized production facilities.

This approach allows for the creation of bespoke medical devices tailored to individual patient needs, including prosthetics, implants, and surgical tools that fit perfectly with a patient's anatomy.

By manufacturing locally, healthcare providers can quickly produce and deliver medical devices, reducing wait times and improving access to essential healthcare solutions.

Roverlabs exemplifies this trend by innovating with 3D-printed prosthetics tailored for Tanzanian amputees, addressing medical device shortages through affordable, customized solutions.

This startup highlights the move toward local manufacturing and the adoption of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies like 3D printing, enhancing healthcare access and quality.

Remote medical assistance and collaboration is a trend transforming the healthtech landscape by leveraging technology to enhance healthcare delivery and coordination. 

Remote medical assistance involves providing healthcare services and support from a distance, using digital tools and platforms.

Collaboration in this context refers to the ability of healthcare professionals to work together remotely, sharing information and expertise to improve patient care.

Founded in 2017, REMA started as a social platform for doctors and now provides remote medical assistance to over 7,000 physicians across West Africa.

By reducing medical errors and improving diagnostic accuracy through remote collaboration, REMA harnesses telemedicine and AI-driven support tools, addressing critical healthcare workforce gaps.