The Health Innovation Festival (formally AfyaFest) is Africa Health Collaborative’s flagship innovation event, bringing together health entrepreneurs and aspiring innovators in a vibrant ecosystem of creativity, mentorship, collaboration and growth.
Hosted by two of Ghana’s leading Universities, Ashesi University and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the Festival will feature two parallel tracks designed to support ventures at different stages of growth. One track will help idea-stage teams transform concepts into prototypes and business models, while the other will support early-stage ventures to strengthen market strategies and accelerate growth.
Over three days in Accra, participants from AHC partner institutions will collaborate with mentors, industry leaders, and public and private sector experts from across Africa and Canada to refine their ideas, strengthen their ventures, and build lasting connections within Africa’s health innovation ecosystem.
Moments from the 2025 Experience
Innovation Track
Track 1: Idea Stage
For visionaries and innovators who have a clear health problem and are actively exploring and testing solutions.
FOCUS:
Refine ideas into clear, evidence-informed solutions with a Business Model Canvas and early prototype.
Track 2: Early Stage
For established early-stage health ventures with a solution that has moved beyond concept into real-world application and are working on refining, validating, and scaling.
FOCUS:
Design and refine actionable go-to-market strategies that drive user acquisition, partnerships, and scalability.
Festival Themes
Ventures across both tracks will address one of the following health innovation themes:
The #HIFest’26 Experience
Enjoy a three-day immersive experience featuring working sessions, expert discussions, networking, and Ghana’s vibrant culture alongside participants from across Africa and Canada.
Day 1
Kick off the festival with business workshops, investor sessions, networking, and the Industry Gallery Walk.
Day 2
Deepen your venture journey through storytelling workshops, coaching clinics, and a curated cultural site visit.
Day 3
Refine your ideas, pitch your solutions, and celebrate the festival with awards and a closing dinner.
Plan Your Visit
Accommodation Options
($190/night & Airport Pick-Up)
Click Here to make reservations
or Call: +233302740811
(Booking Code: HIF2026)
($150/night & Airport Pick-Up)
Click Here to make reservations
(Booking Code: HIF2026)
($150/night & Airport Pick-Up)
Click Here to make reservations
or Call:+233204335539
(Booking Code: HIF2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Most non-African travelers will need a visa to enter Ghana. However, visa requirements vary depending on your country of citizenship. We recommend checking with the nearest Ghanaian embassy or consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information and application procedures. Participants are encouraged to apply early, as visa processing times may vary.
If you require an invitation letter to support your application, please contact health@ashesi.edu.gh.
Airport transfers are not provided by the 2026 Health Innovation Festival organizers. Delegates are advised to arrange transfers directly with their selected hotel, as most partner hotels offer this service for their guests. Car rental services, such as Avis Rent A Car, are also recommended.
Yes, meals will be provided during official event days.
Yes, but we recommend the listed hotels for convenience and transport coordination.
Additional delegates should be submitted via the provided Google Sheet here, where institutions will be required to fill in the relevant details. Once submitted, the planning team will reach out directly to the additional delegates with payment instructions and next steps.
Yes, buses will be available at the selected partner hotels to transport delegates to and from the conference venue each day.
Institutions are encouraged to nominate up to four (4) ventures in total. While allocating ventures across both idea-stage and early-stage ventures is recommended, this is not mandatory. Institutions may structure their nominations in any of the following ways:
- Four (4) idea-stage ventures
- Four (4) early-stage ventures
- Any combination of idea-stage and early-stage ventures (e.g. 3 idea-stage and 1 early-stage, or vice versa)
- Fewer than four ventures, with multiple representatives per venture (e.g. 1 venture with 2 representatives, or 2 ventures with 2 representatives each)
All nominated ventures must fall within one of the two tracks and meet the corresponding selection criteria.
June in Accra is warm and humid, with occasional rainfall. Short showers are common, so lightweight clothing and a light rain jacket or umbrella are recommended.
For more information, contact:
Program Officer – Ashesi Health & Care Initiative
+233509550871
Join the conversation using
#HIFest26 #HIFestGH #HealthForward
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