Africa-Press – Gambia. Access to essential medicines remains a pressing issue across East Africa, even as the region embraces digital transformation in healthcare. MyDawa, a healthtech startup based in Nairobi, is aiming to address this gap after raising significant funding from global investors. The round was led by private equity firms Alta Semper and Creadev, with participation from Denmark’s Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), Japan’s AAIC Investment, and Ohara Pharmaceutical Co, according to a statement shared with Launch Base Africa.
While the exact amount of the investment was not disclosed, the funding will support MyDawa’s expansion across East Africa, strengthen its AI-driven platform, and scale its chronic disease management initiatives. The deal signals growing investor confidence in Africa’s digital health space, where startups are stepping in to address gaps in overstretched public healthcare systems.
Founded in 2017 by Neil O’Leary, MyDawa runs a hybrid “bricks and clicks” model that merges e-pharmacy services with on-the-ground distribution. Through the platform, patients can consult doctors online, schedule lab tests, get e-prescriptions, and have medicines delivered—an essential offering in areas where pharmacies are limited or poorly stocked.
MyDawa’s recent acquisition of Uganda-based telehealth provider Rocket Health has expanded its footprint in the country. With new funding secured, the company now aims to deepen its regional presence and invest in technology upgrades to optimize inventory management and cut operational costs.
“This investment confirms that MyDawa is doing more than addressing real problems at scale—it’s laying the foundation for the future of healthcare in Africa,” said O’Leary.
The support from Alta Semper, Creadev, AAIC, and other investors—renowned for backing healthcare and consumer ventures in emerging markets signals strong confidence in MyDawa’s sustainable growth. The startup recorded over 30% year-on-year revenue growth in 2024, reaching 1.8 million patients across Kenya and Uganda.
“We’ve seen MyDawa consistently deliver transformative healthcare solutions at scale,” said Zach Fond, Partner at Alta Semper. “This next chapter further establishes its role as a category leader.”
MyDawa’s chronic-care initiatives such as Kenya’s Mzima and Uganda’s Bulunji serve patients managing long-term conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Its reach has further grown through collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Gates Foundation-backed programs focused on HIV prevention.
Despite its growth, MyDawa encounters challenges, including varying regulatory complexities across East African markets. Additionally, competition is intensifying, with players like Nigeria’s HealthPlus and South Africa’s Dis-Chem also competing for dominance in Africa’s e-pharmacy sector.
MyDawa’s hybrid model, which combines digital convenience with physical logistics, gives it a competitive edge. According to Priscilla Muhiu, the company’s COO, the new funding will help accelerate its vision of creating a “digitally empowered, accessible healthcare ecosystem for every East African.”
As Africa’s healthtech sector evolves, MyDawa’s success could serve as a benchmark for how digital innovation can make healthcare more accessible in underserved regions—provided it can overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
