Kenyan healthtech startup Zuri Health raises Ksh.151M to expand across Africa

Launched in January last year, the company provides a platform for mass-market patients to get affordable, convenient, and quality healthcare services via SMS, WhatsApp and a dedicated app.

Zuri has, through partnerships with telecoms like MTN, Safaricom and Telkom, been able to aggregate healthcare providers like medical labs, pharmacies, and hospitals.

The round attracted investment from DOB Equity, Launch Africa and Founders Factory Africa. V8 Capital, Platform Capital, Villgro Africa, Asime Ventures, and the Salik Family Trust also participated in the round.

Zuri said it plans to use this recent investment into further building out its digital platform, growing its product offerings and launching operations in new markets. 

“We are driven by the impact our service could have —to be a solution to Africa’s lack of sufficient healthcare. Healthcare infrastructure in most parts of Africa is grossly inadequate, with painfully high doctor-patient ratios. There are many Africans who cannot afford healthcare services or who live too far away from healthcare facilities. And with skilled healthcare workers increasingly leaving Africa for greener pastures, the situation is worsening,” Ikechukwu Anoke, CEO and Founder of Zuri Health said.

“We have a burning desire to democratise healthcare access and harness the power of technology to provide quality, first-tier medical services.”

Anoke co-founded the company with Daisy Isiaho in Kenya but it has now expanded its services to Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Anoke has previously worked at Mtech, where he led efforts to provide value-added services to mobile subscribers, while Isiaho previously worked for retail and distribution firm MarketForce.

Zuri Health says it has so far partnered with over 16 major mobile network operators in seven countries with over 400,000 SMS subscribers, over 300 doctors, 27 lab and diagnostic centres and 15 pharmacies across its markets.