For over a decade, Villgro Africa has been at the forefront of driving health innovation across the continent. As a leading health incubator and impact investor, Villgro Africa has supported more than 250 health startups that are transforming access to affordable, quality healthcare in Africa.

Over three dynamic sessions, the Health Track will uncover key lessons from a decade of incubation, present new research shaping the future of enterprise support, and explore innovative financing mechanisms that can catalyze sustainable growth in health ventures.

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Session 1: A Decade of Health Incubation in Africa

Villgro Africa’s ten-year journey offers a unique vantage point into the evolution of Africa’s health innovation ecosystem. This reflective session will unpack lessons learned from supporting over 250 health startups—from early pilots to scale-ready ventures—and how these enterprises are contributing to national health goals across the continent.

Through real-world examples such as BenaCare’s partnership with Murang’a County to deliver mobile dialysis services, this session will highlight what it takes to build scalable, sustainable health innovations in Africa. The conversation will feature perspectives from government, funders, innovators, and ecosystem builders, casting a shared vision for the next decade of impact.

Session Objectives:

• Reflect on 10 years of Africa’s health innovation journey

• Examine startups’ role in achieving health outcomes

• Showcase success stories and measurable impact

• Cast a vision for the future of health innovation

Session 2: Staying Relevant in a Shifting Development Landscape

The development and enterprise support landscape in Africa is changing rapidly. Traditional models no longer meet the evolving needs of innovators and entrepreneurs. How can Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) remain relevant and resilient in this shifting context?

Drawing on fresh research from William Davidson Institute (WDI) and Villgro Africa, including insights from 40+ interviews with ESOs, investors, and entrepreneurs, this session dives deep into what’s working, what’s not, and what the future holds for the next generation of ESOs. Participants will engage in an interactive dialogue to co-create solutions around sustainability, collaboration, and measuring success.

If you are an ESO, investor, donor, or have engaged with ESOs in any capacity, this session is for you. Join the conversation to help shape a new playbook for ecosystem support in Africa.

Key Highlights:

• Launch of the WDI-Villgro Africa research on ESOs

• Panel discussion on challenges and bright spots in enterprise support

• Breakout sessions exploring financial sustainability and data-driven impact metrics

• Actionable insights to strengthen the ESO value chain

Session 3: Innovative Investment Instruments for Healthcare Ventures

Scaling healthcare innovations requires more than good ideas—it demands access to the right kind of capital. This session brings together leading investors and experienced founders to unpack practical strategies for raising and managing diverse funding types, from grants and equity to convertible instruments and blended finance models.

Through candid discussions and real-world examples, participants will gain actionable insights into navigating the fundraising process, structuring deals, and aligning investor expectations with social impact goals. An interactive Q&A segment will provide opportunities to engage directly with experts, clarify key concepts, and build meaningful connections.

Session Objectives:

• Demystify various capital-raising options for health ventures

• Explore investor and founder perspectives on successful fundraising

• Provide practical strategies for accessing and managing diverse forms of capital

• Foster interactive learning and networking among participants

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The Health Track at the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2025 is an exciting platform for both discussion and action. Together, we’ll unpack what has worked, identify what could be next, and co-create pathways to catalyze investment in Africa’s health future.