The future of African healthcare is local, youth-led, and extraordinarily innovative.
This was the unmistakable takeaway from the Health Innovation Festival (HIFest) 2026 in Accra, Ghana, where 37 health ventures and ideas from nine partner institutions across Africa and Canada came together to refine ideas, build partnerships, and pitch solutions designed to address some of the continent’s most pressing health challenges. Co-hosted by Ashesi University and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the three-day event culminated in a highly competitive pitch showcase where participants vied for a share of $13,000 in prizes.
From AI-powered technologies and digital health solutions to sustainable maternal health products, the ventures showcased a shared commitment to solving local challenges through innovation grounded in African realities.
The Grand Prize Winners
In the Early-Stage Category, KAARAANGE (AMREF Health Africa/Senegal), led by project lead Mor Talla Mouhniyan Ndiaye, secured the grand prize of $3,000. Addressing the risk of occupational infections among healthcare workers, KAARAANGE developed an AI-powered “Smart Bin“. The device uses cameras and sensors to automatically sort biomedical waste at the source and incorporates an integrated UV light disinfection system.
I feel immense pride and gratitude. This award motivates us to pursue our mission and accelerate the development of our innovation to improve public health and safety. My experience at the festival was very enriching. It’s given international visibility to the KAARAANGE project and created opportunities for collaboration for its future deployment.
– Mor Talla Mouhniyan Ndiaye, Project Lead of KAARAANGE.
In the Idea-Stage Category, HerbIma (Addis Ababa University), founded by Iman Redwan, secured the top award of $2,500 for Iron+. This high-bioavailability supplement powder, formulated from indigenous Ethiopian Red Teff, offers an affordable, natural alternative to address childhood anaemia, a persistent public health challenge in Ethiopia.
Other Winning Innovations
Several other ventures were recognized for their innovation, impact potential, and market readiness:
Early-Stage Runners-Up: StainSmart (University of Toronto) earned first runner-up for its automated slide-staining system designed to accelerate disease diagnosis. RiseBeyond Organisation (African Leadership University) claimed second runner-up for its mobile pediatric physiotherapy platform.
Idea-Stage Runners-Up: Mosaan Health (AMREF Health Africa/Senegal) placed as first runner-up for its low-resource digital microscope, followed by the Menstrual Empowerment Initiative (African Leadership University), which produces biodegradable sanitary pads from agricultural waste.
People’s Choice & Mentions: DamuBoost (Moi University) won the People’s Choice Award for its organic blood-restoring food supplement. DawaPoint (Moi University) and SnooCode Red (University of Toronto) received honorable mentions.
What Participants Took Away from HIFest 2026
Josue Nguinabe, AfriMedLink
I truly enjoyed and benefited from the breakout sessions, where we had the opportunity to refine our value proposition, identify key resource needs, and sharpen our investment asks. Being here has also helped me better understand the investor mindset—what investors look for and what ultimately convinces them to invest. We also learned how to tell our story in a compelling way so that people can buy into our vision.
Auma Eunice, StainSmart Innovation
As a young woman founder in health-tech, I know firsthand how powerful it is to be in spaces where people believe in your vision and challenge you to dream bigger. These programs do not just support businesses, they help build perspective, confidence and create role models for the next generation of innovators.
Sharon Mbai, Mind Link
I am very grateful for the opportunity to come to Ghana and experience the Health Innovation Festival. One of the key lessons I have learned is that when developing an idea, you must also think about the business strategy behind it and how it will generate revenue. To bring an idea to life, you need to create something tangible that solves a real problem and delivers value to users, to yourself as an innovator, and to the community in which you operate. It is also important to demonstrate how the solution can scale.
Beyond individual ventures, the event highlighted the importance of building the broader ecosystem needed for African health innovations to grow, attract investment, and achieve sustainable impact. Keynote speaker Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, CEO of Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute, connected the youth-led innovations directly to continental priorities, mapping out pathways for health sovereignty and localized medical manufacturing.
Participants also visited Yemaachi Biotech, gaining firsthand exposure to how genomics, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine are being applied to address health challenges affecting African populations.
In her closing address, Dr. Penina Lam, Head of the AHC Secretariat, challenged participants to embrace three principles: Presence to identify local health challenges, Partnership to leverage collective expertise and resources, and Promise to scale solutions that improve health outcomes across Africa.
As participants departed Accra, they left with more than prize money and pitch feedback. They left with new partnerships, fresh perspectives, and a stronger understanding of what it takes to transform promising ideas into solutions that can strengthen health systems across Africa. HIFest 2026 demonstrated that when young innovators are equipped with the right networks, mentorship, and opportunities, they are well-positioned to help shape the future of healthcare on the continent.
More News & Events
Skip scroller content
2027-2028 Doctor of Public Health Scholarships Open
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2027-2028 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This doctoral scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in associated health-related disciplines […]
Health Innovation as a Pathway to Africa’s Health Sovereignty
Join the next HiAS as Dr. Robert Karanja explores how talent, research, investment, policy, and partnerships can unlock Africa’s potential in digital health, biotechnology, and deep-tech innovation.
Apply for Research Seed Grants from Moi University and the University of Toronto
Apply for the Research Seed Grants by Moi University and the University of Toronto. Eligible researchers can receive up to CAD $5,000 in seed funding to strengthen research capacity, generate new knowledge, and foster long-term institutional collaborations.
Ubuntu Rising: A Youth Leadership Summit for Africa’s Health Future
Ahead of the 18th World Congress on Public Health, Ubuntu Rising will bring together young African health leaders, innovators, and changemakers to co-create a shared agenda for youth leadership, employment, and innovation in health across the continent.
Young Leaders Redefining What Health Work in Africa Means
This International Youth Day, read about how the AHC’s young leaders are challenging traditional ideas and reimagining health work, strengthening health systems, and building the future of healthcare across Africa.
Associate Director, AHC Programs
Apply for this senior leadership role with the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) to lead regional programs, strengthen partnerships, and advance health leadership, education, and innovation across Africa.
Turning Research into Policies that Improve Health and Wellbeing
Join Dr. Collins Okoyo, Principal Statistician at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), as he shares practical lessons on bridging the gap between research and policy, drawing on over a decade of experience in health data science, epidemiology, and disease modelling.
Addis Ababa University and Moi University Formalize Partnership to Advance Africa’s Health Workforce
Addis Ababa University and Moi University have signed a Memorandum of Agreement under the Africa Health Collaborative, establishing a strategic partnership to strengthen health education, research, innovation, and workforce development. The collaboration will create new opportunities for students, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Africa.
Building Bridges for Safer Births: How Funmi Odushola connects trusted community caregivers with formal healthcare in Nigeria
Safe childbirth often depends on more than access to a health facility—it depends on trust. In Nigeria, Funmi Odushola is helping build bridges between traditional community caregivers and the formal health system to support healthier pregnancies and safer births.
Africa Health Collaborative Annual Convening 2026: Unlocking Africa Through Youth-led Health Innovation
The 2026 Annual Convening will spotlight Africa’s greatest strength—its young people, bringing together young innovators, health leaders, universities, governments, and ecosystem catalysts to explore practical solutions to Africa’s PHC challenges.