Healthcare consulting firm Salient Advisory has launched its latest market intelligence report, focusing on 24 leading Africa-focused supply chain innovators which appear to be on the cusp of more substantive impact.

Funded by the Gates Foundation, the report titled “Leading Innovations Enabling Health Product Access in Africa”, finds that, amid difficult macro- economic realities and dwindling investment in African technology ecosystems, a select number of African health innovators are emerging as leaders.

Having operated for 10 years on average, the 24 leading innovators collectively now partner with 100+ manufacturers and 75 public health institutions, reaching around 50,000 providers (who serve hundreds of thousands of patients per day) and delivering health products to millions of consumers directly.

Kasha made news capturing Series B investment last year, and has since gone on to build its health technology access platform and report annual revenues of more than $50 million in 2023 – the highest ever recorded by Salient’s research to date.

Like Kasha, innovators that offer digitally-enabled Order and Inventory Management services to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and drug shops appear dominant amongst the leading companies, making up 13 of the 24 featured innovations, with operations in 30 countries.

Four leading Online Pharmacies are reaching nearly 10 million customers and generating median annual revenues of nearly $9M. The other categories featured are innovations in Product Protection and Visibility, Medical Drone Delivery and Data Analytics.

While leading innovators now appear positioned to deliver more substantive impact, they require targeted engagement from governments, donors, industry and global health institutions to transform access for unserved populations and improve the cost-effectiveness of care.

To leverage leading innovators’ models in driving increases in access, governments, industry, donors and global health agencies should: simplify regulatory pathways; explore innovators’ ability to generate cost- savings for health systems, pursuing partnerships when the evidence is strong; and evolve contracting and payment systems to enable innovators to partner in healthcare delivery systems at larger scale.

The 24 leading innovators featured are (in alphabetical order): Chefaa, DrugStoc, Field Inc, Figorr, Grinta, HealthPlus, Kasha, LifeBank, Maisha Meds, Meditect, mPedigree, MYDAWA, Pendulum, PharmaSecure, Remedial Health, RxAll, Sobrus, Sproxil, Talamus Health, VIA Global Health, Viebeg, Wingcopter, Yodawy and Zipline.

Speaking on the launch of the report, Yomi Kazeem, Engagement Manager at Salient Advisory, commented:

‘’The findings underscore the remarkable resilience and growing impact of African supply chain innovators. Having tracked healthtech startups for many years, the emergence of a group of leading innovators is exciting to report.

“Local and global public health communities must increasingly recognize and leverage the innovators in developing reliable and resilient health supply chains.”

Ann Allen, Senior Program Officer at Gates Foundation, commented: “Technology-enabled innovations have the potential to help reverse long-running challenges in African health systems, while creating local jobs and strengthening local health markets.

“The report confirms innovators are increasingly positioned to deliver on this promise. However, there is more to be done as leveraging these innovations to truly transform cost-effective access for millions of unserved Africans will require concerted efforts from governments, industry and global health agencies alike.”

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) resumed dollar sales to Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators on Thursday July 18, with a planned disbursement of $20,000 to each licensee.

The apex bank said the forex injection is expected to curb forex distortions, boost liquidity in the market and stabilise the naira.

In a circular to all BDC operators and the public, the CBN said it “observed the continued distortions in the retail end of the market, which is feeding into the parallel market and further widening the exchange rate premium.”

The circular was signed by Aliyu Mahdi for the bank’s Acting Director of Trade and Exchange Department.

The apex bank said that eligible BDCs would be allowed to purchase a maximum of $20,000 at a fixed rate of N1,450 to the dollar. The rate is pegged to the lower band of the previous day’s trading rate on the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEX) window.

BDCs are permitted to sell dollars to eligible end-users at a maximum margin of 1.5 percent above the purchase rate from the CBN.

To ensure compliance, BDCs are required to make Naira payments into designated CBN accounts and submit necessary documentation for disbursement at specified branches in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Awka in Anambra State.

The CBN attributed the decision to the widening gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates, which it blamed on distortions in the retail end of the market. The bank expressed hope that the move would also help to reduce pressure on the naira.

Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) President Aminu Gwadabe said the new dollar injections in the market will induce liquidity and stabilise the naira.

He added that the move has already impacted positively on the Naira, which appreciated from N1,640/$ to N1,570 /$ at the parallel market.

An IT egghead / expert who has contributed immensely to the development of the sector in Nigeria and beyond has emerged winner of outstanding ICT Solutions, Innovation and Youth Empowerment personality of the year award at this year’s Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Award.

Henry Nwapali Ndidi Naiho emerged winner of the highly coveted African Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership award of Outstanding ICT Solutions, Innovation and youth Empowerment Personality of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding contributions, mentorship and innovative support and contributions to the ICT space in Africa and Nigeria by African foremost and leading ICT paper.

The event held on Saturday 25th May at Four Points by Sheraton was themed: “Artificial Intelligence: The Good, The Complex and The Anticipated”.

While receiving the award Naiho said: “l dedicates this award to my family and the teeming youths that sees me as their role model and mentor. ‘’Your believe in me, is your calls and shout outs that fire me up the more. He said excitedly.”

Henry Naiho is an experienced technology business leader with strong IT and Telecommunications technical knowledge, UX/UI and entrepreneurial mindset,; he has over 26years cognate experience in ICT, with  high expertise not limited these areas: Project, Programme & Portfolio Management, Customer and User Operations Management, ICT, Transmission, BSS, Software Development etc., Network Planning, Implementation, Operations & Maintenance, Stakeholder Engagement and Management, Team Build, Performance and Management, Business Processes, Analysis & Analytics.

He had an enviable work stint so far, here are some select positions with organizations, he was the Senior Project Manager (IT), Sasol Plant) South Africa, Group Lead, Technology Transformation & Operations, Userlytics Group, South Africa, Regional Operations Manager  (South Africa & Africa Operations): Stratosat Datacom Pty Ltd, South Africa, Quality Management (Projects & Operations).

He was also at Zain Mobile Limited, West Africa (AKA Airtel Africa) as the Regional Manager, Transmission Network implementation & Operations. Regional Transmission Engineer, (Implementation, Operations & Maintenance): Globacom Limited, Nigeria. Naiho’s diverse academic background in physics, Tech-management and vendor-specific certifications, has equipped him with uncommon expertise to provide cutting-edge solutions to clients across various sectors.

His entrepreneurial spirit, driven by a desire to provide solutions to human needs, empower the youths which he said is fire in his bone, has led him to represent top brands like Ericsson, Huawei, Motorola, and Microsoft.

Through his brand, Naiho offers a range of services, including business processes, human capital development, business research, technology harnessing, and corporate sustainability solutions. He has continuously updated his skills to ensure his brand remains relevant, meeting and exceeding client needs for best satisfaction and experience. Naiho’s achievements are a testament to his dedication and expertise. He has implemented numerous solutions using technology to streamline business processes, improve efficiencies, and effectiveness.

He attributes his success to his ability to be resilient, tunnel vision, flexible, and adaptable, qualities he believes are essential for thriving in the industry.

According to him, “As a Fibre optics engineer, I have published research papers on Fibre optics resilient and solutions for survivability.

“ I have also obtained 5G certifications, demonstrating my commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest technologies.”

He added that his expertise in process improvements, operations management, and technology has made him a sought-after professional in his field.

His Counsel for Youths seeking a career in ICT: Naiho’s advice to youths seeking a career in this field is straightforward: “Pursue your passion, invest in continuous learning, and seek ways for continuous improvements.

“The industry offers opportunities for growth and development, and with dedication and hard work, you can build a successful career like mine.”

As a role model, Naiho’s career trajectory serves as an inspiration to youths, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, they can achieve their goals and build a successful career in the IT, Telecommunications, Quality, and Operations Management industry.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Naiho emphasized that the adoption of innovative technological solutions is no longer optional but essential for businesses seeking to enhance efficiency and maintain a competitive edge.

“Technology offers a plethora of tools designed to optimize business operations, eliminate bottlenecks, and improve overall efficiency,” said Naiho. “Organizations that fail to integrate these tools into their processes risk falling behind their more tech-savvy competitors.”

Naiho highlighted several key areas where technology can significantly impact business processes, including automation, data analytics, and cloud computing.

Automation, he noted, can take over repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic activities. “By automating routine tasks, businesses can reduce human error, save time, and increase productivity,” he explained.

Data analytics is another crucial area where technology can drive substantial improvements. “Businesses today generate vast amounts of data. Properly analyzing this data can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, operational inefficiencies, and market trends,” Naiho pointed out.

He added that using advanced analytics tools can help businesses make more informed decisions and tailor their strategies to better meet customer needs and expectations.

Naiho also emphasized the importance of cloud computing in streamlining business processes. “Cloud-based solutions offer flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. They enable businesses to access their data and applications from anywhere, facilitating better collaboration and continuity,” he said.

To maximize the benefits of these technologies, Naiho urged businesses to be adaptable and open to change.

“The key to leveraging technology effectively is to remain flexible and continuously seek ways to improve. This requires a culture that embraces change and encourages innovation,” he stated.

Also, Naiho called on regulatory bodies and the government to support the technological advancement of businesses by creating conducive policies and infrastructure.

“The government and regulators play a crucial role in fostering an environment that supports technological adoption. By engaging with industry stakeholders and aligning policies with technological advancements, they can help businesses thrive,” he remarked.

Naiho’s insights shed light on the imperative for businesses to leverage technology to streamline their operations.

His call to action serves as a timely reminder that embracing technological innovation is critical for achieving operational excellence and long-term success.

With a PhD (in view), Fellow of some prestigious institutions, Post graduate in Business Administration, Strategy, Management and Programme Management, and a B.Sc in Physics garnished with industry specific certifications in SAP, TOGAF Standard 9.2 complete, 5G Technology, Architecture and Protocols, 5G Planning and Design, 5G Open RAN and Private Networks, Design Thinking, User Research, User Experience Management, User Accessibility, Product Management, AWS Solutions Architect , ISO QMS 9001:2015, ISO OHAS 45001: 2018 and lots of other vendor specific (Ericsson, Huawei, Harris etc.).