News and Events

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News & Events

Photo of Dr. Yeukai Mlambo

, PhD

Interim Director of Special Programs Collaboratives

Mastercard Foundation

Photo of Peter Materu

Chief Program Officer

Mastercard Foundation

African Women Innovating in Health Care

This year, FemSTEM Africa engaged over 200 health innovators and enthusiasts through a series of events, concluding in a pitch competition and interactions with seasoned entrepreneurs. The five-part event series was organized by the University of Toronto’s Health Innovation Hub (H2i) in partnership with Social Enterprise (SE) Ghana, Sustineri Attorneys,  supported by funding from the […]

Photo of Leila Serwaah Khalid

, MA, PMP

Communications Officer, Africa

University of Toronto, Africa Secretariat

Photo of William Ohene Annoh

Assistant Director - Prof. Adei Studio for Research Excellence; Co-Lead, HENT Pillar

Ashesi University

Photo of Jessica Boifio

Assistant Director - Ashesi Center for Entrepreneurship; Co-Lead, HENT Pillar

Ashesi University

Venture Spotlight: BetaLife Health

BetaLife Health uses artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize blood supply management across Africa. Their platform uses predictive analytics to optimize blood inventory levels, distribution logistics and donor engagement, thereby improving the timeliness and availability of blood for transfusions.

Venture Spotlight: Remedius Mobile Health

Remedius Mobile Health aims to combat the identified problems by leveraging telemedicine through the Remedius Live platform. They seek to provide fast virtual appointment scheduling with doctors and specialists at affordable rates of about five dollars and provide comprehensive care to chronically ill patients. This is executed through an integral network of facilities that provide physical care to these patients if need arises. 

Venture Spotlight: Powerstove Energy

Powerstove designs and manufactures smart smoke-free cookstoves that also self-generate electricity for users to charge their mobile phones and power home appliances using proprietary renewable bio-pellets as fuel. These sustainable, mosquito repellent bio-pellets are produced from post-harvest crops and wood waste.

Profile

Dr. Yeukai Mlambo , PhD

Interim Director of Special Programs Collaboratives

Mastercard Foundation

Dr. Yeukai Mlambo is the Interim Director of Special Programs Collaboratives at the Mastercard Foundation. In her role, she advances multi-stakeholder sectoral programs that leverage a consortia of higher education institutions working collaboratively to address pressing global challenges that impact African youth. Current Collaboratives focus on health, pandemic sciences and climate resilience and sustainability, aimed at strengthening the workforce, entrepreneurship, ecosystems, and knowledge activities and outcomes in and for Africa in these key sectors.  

Yeukai holds a master’s degree in research psychology from the University of Pretoria, and a PhD in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University. She has worked in the private sector, civil society, and higher education for 15 years where she advanced higher education development, faculty engagement and research, and partnerships for African development. Yeukai continues to publish on issues of higher education transformation, access, and leadership. Yeukai’s work spans multiple thematic areas including a focus on the recruitment, retention, and sustained success of women in higher education; faculty development in sub-Saharan Africa; international student experiences; global north-south higher education partnerships; and leveraging technology to support youth transitions into and beyond higher education. Drawing from her educational and professional experiences in both Africa and North America, Yeukai brings a strategic operational approach to her work to achieve impact.

Pillars
Health Entrepreneurship
Health Ecosystems
Health Employment
Governance
Executive Steering Committee
Profile

Peter Materu

Chief Program Officer

Mastercard Foundation

Peter Materu is currently the Chief Program Officer of the Mastercard
Foundation. In this role, he is responsible for all the Foundation’s
programs globally. Among others, Peter championed the rollout of the
Foundation’s new operating model since 2019, which saw the Foundation set
up its footprint in Africa for the first time.


Peter joined the Mastercard Foundation over seven years ago from the World Bank where he served for seventeen years, including as Practice Manager for Education and Skills Development
in Africa. During his time at the World Bank, Peter made a significant contribution to the Bank’s higher education agenda, notably the Africa Centers of Excellence and the Partnership for Applied
Science, Engineering and Technology initiatives which seek to strengthen higher education institutions as hubs for socio-economic transformation in Africa. Prior to joining the World Bank, Peter served as Professor and Dean of Engineering, and as Director of Graduate Studies at the
University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Peter holds a doctorate in electrical engineering and master’s degrees in engineering and education.

Pillars
Health Entrepreneurship
Health Ecosystems
Health Employment
Governance
Executive Steering Committee
Profile

Leila Serwaah Khalid , MA, PMP

Communications Officer, Africa

University of Toronto

Leila Serwaah Khalid is a seasoned communications and brand expert with over a decade of experience driving impactful narratives across diverse industries and continents. She has a proven track record of transforming brands into thought leaders, securing high-profile media placements in outlets such as BBC, CNN, Time Magazine, and Reuters.

Leila has excelled at leading dynamic marketing teams and executing successful multimedia campaigns that drive awareness, enhance reputation, and expand customer bases across African and European markets.


Her expertise spans strategic planning, digital marketing, content development, and public relations.


Currently, she serves as Communications Officer for Africa at the University of Toronto, where she spearheads communication strategies for the Africa Health Collaborative, collaborating with 10 institutional partners.


Leila holds a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, a certification in Marketing Management from the University of Stellenbosch, and a Bachelor of Laws from KNUST, Ghana. She is also a certified Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute.

Email Address
Leilas.khalid@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Ghana
Profile

William Ohene Annoh

Assistant Director - Prof. Adei Studio for Research Excellence; Co-Lead, HENT Pillar

Ashesi University

William Ohene Annoh is the Assistant Director, Prof. Adei Studio for Research Excellence at Ashesi University, Ghana.

Email Address
william.annoh@ashesi.edu.gh
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Ghana
Governance
HECO Pillar Advisory Committee
HEMP Pillar Advisory Commitee
HENT Pillar Advisory Committee
Profile

Jessica Boifio

Assistant Director - Ashesi Center for Entrepreneurship; Co-Lead, HENT Pillar

Ashesi University

Jessica Boifio is the Assistant Director – Ashesi Center for Entrepreneurship; Co-Lead, HENT Pillar at Ashesi University, Ghana.

Profile Type
Staff
Country
Ghana
Governance
HENT Pillar Advisory Committee