Healthcare Rising analysed 12 months of employee headcount data across 50 healthcare-focused companies operating in Africa. We used LinkedIn workforce data to produce the first sector-wide employee growth ranking of its kind for African healthcare.The list isn't exhaustive, excludes companies where healthcare is only part of a wider business, and the analysis relies on public data and how employees update their own profiles.
South Africa was the standout growth market, with Mediclinic up 29% and Intercare Group up 10%, followed by Kenya (Penda Health +13%, Nairobi Women's Hospital +5%), Ghana (Bank Hospital +14%, C-Care Uganda +16%), Nigeria (Reddington Hospital Group +70%, NACOSA +11%) and Eswatini (Clicks Group +22%).
Clicks Group posted the largest absolute expansion, adding 1,514 employees at 12% growth with 5% turnover, while Netcare added 663, Ampath Laboratories 208, Lancet Laboratories 198 and Mediclinic Group 143.
Among the fastest percentage growers, Reddington Hospital Group grew 70%, Africa Clinical Research Network 61%, Mediclinic Group 28%, Gokals-Laborex (CFAO Healthcare) 29% and PathCare Kenya 20%, with Amref Health Africa adding 82 at 5% growth and AIC Kijabe Mission Hospital adding 60 at 7%.
Our take: Africa should measure the success of its health transition by how much employment, clinical capacity and skills it creates locally. See the full ranking below.
