From the newsletter
In our monthly overview of investor activity we see several new venture capital deals directed towards online pharmacies that provide authentic, high-quality medicines across the continent. Access to essential, affordable and high-quality medicines remains a persistent challenge for millions in Africa, despite a global consensus on their importance to public health.
In May, the most visible healthcare venture funding in Africa was online pharmacies that leverage digital platforms to distribute health supplies efficiently, serving as intermediaries and retailers. They connect remote and underserved communities with essential medicines, improving access in geographically and medically marginalised areas.
Among those funded in May are myDawa, Platos Health, iSupply, Aura, Impulse Biomedical and Kapsule. Additionally, Sora Technology received funding to enhance its malaria eradication programme using drones and AI.
More details
In May, Eastern and southern Africa led the funding round with two companies each: myDawa from Kenya and Kapsule from Rwanda, and Aura and Impulse Biomedical from South Africa, followed by Platos Health from Nigeria in Western Africa and iSupply from Egypt in Northern Africa. All companies in this funding round were founded by men.
MyDawa is a Kenyan digital health platform that integrates online medical consultations, laboratory testing, e-prescriptions, and pharmacy delivery into a unified service. Launched in 2017 and based in Nairobi, it aims to improve healthcare access and affordability across East Africa. By combining telehealth with logistics, MyDawa bridges critical gaps in care for underserved populations, supporting over 1.8 million users and significantly enhancing health outcomes and continuity of care.
Kapsule, based in Rwanda, is a health data company that provides analytics and insights to improve healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical decision-making across Africa. By aggregating and analysing data from hospitals, pharmacies, insurers, and healthtech firms, it supports proactive strategies in drug development, clinical trials, and public health planning. Kapsule’s tools help clients increase sales, evaluate treatment impacts, and optimise healthcare access across the continent.
Impulse Biomedical, operating in South Africa, develops affordable, user-friendly medical devices to enhance access to care. Founded by biomedical engineers, the company focuses on intuitive designs that empower patients and reduce barriers related to cost, complexity, or geography. Its innovations, such as the Easy Squeezy asthma aid and the ZiBiPen auto-injector, are shaped by real patient needs, with a mission to deliver sustainable health solutions to underserved communities.
Platos Health is dedicated to preventing chronic diseases by improving metabolic health in Nigeria. It combines smart medical devices with AI-driven software to offer personalised insights on body fat, blood glucose, and lifestyle risks. Designed for individuals, pharmacies, and clinics, Platos supports early detection and remote care, improving access and outcomes in underserved areas. Its technology empowers proactive healthcare at a lower cost across Africa and beyond.
Aura is a South African technology platform that enhances access to emergency response services globally. By partnering with security and medical providers, Aura enables rapid, coordinated responses through its digital infrastructure. Operating across South Africa, Kenya, and the UK, it connects thousands of vehicles and responders. Aura’s goal is to make emergency services more affordable, efficient, and universally accessible, regardless of location.
Our take
Online pharmacies are tackling long-standing barriers to medicine access in Africa. Traditional systems often suffer from poor infrastructure, fragmented supply chains and disparities between urban and rural areas. By digitising access, online platforms reduce reliance on physical proximity and facilitate timely medicine delivery to underserved regions.
Their cost-effectiveness and convenience enhance affordability and improve continuity of care. With increasing access to the internet and smartphones, more patients can consult, order and receive essential medications from anywhere, thereby promoting healthcare equity.
However, sustainability relies on strong regulations that ensure safety, data protection and quality control, without hindering innovation.