Kigali, Rwanda - 27 August 2024 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation have officially launched the first call for the HealthTech Startup Accelerator Programme, a groundbreaking Pan-African initiative aimed at revolutionizing healthcare innovation across the continent. The programme, hosted at the HealthTech Hub in Kigali, Rwanda, seeks to empower visionary entrepreneurs and startups dedicated to creating cutting-edge health technologies that address Africa's most pressing healthcare challenges.

The HealthTech Startup Accelerator Programme is designed to provide comprehensive support to early-stage startups, offering them access to mentorship, funding, and state-of-the-art resources. This initiative is part of the broader timbuktoo initiative, which aims to mobilize and invest one billion dollars in catalytic and commercial capital over the next ten years to ignite Africa's startup revolution.

Speaking at the launch, the UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Bureau for Africa Director Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa stated, "By harnessing innovation to advance health outcomes across Africa, this programme will bridge critical gaps in healthcare access and quality, propelling progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our work here at timbuktoo is about creating a future where every African has the opportunity to thrive, where no one is left behind.”

The HealthTech Hub in Kigali, one of timbuktoo’s ten thematic hubs, brings together government agencies, private sector partners, and academic institutions to create a dynamic environment for innovation. The Hub will also foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the continent, ensuring that the benefits of health technology innovation drive sustainable and inclusive healthcare solutions for all Africans.

Applications are now open to African-owned startups registered in Africa, with founders aged 18 to 35, with a minimum viable product, posied for scale and sustainability. The initiative seeks technology-focused entrepreneurs and startup founders who are building, or have already built, HealthTech solutions that meet the application criteria. Targeted sectors include telemedicine, healthcare logistics, diagnostics, and mobile health. Interested start-ups must complete an online application form before 6 October 2024.

“Young innovators across Africa are the driving force behind the continent's transformation. Through this Programme, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to solve Africa's most pressing healthcare challenges. Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient future for all," said Ms. Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, UNDP Rwanda’s Resident Representative.

The cohort will be composed to ensure equal opportunities across countries and genders. For more details on the call, see here.

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About timbuktoo:

timbuktoo is the world’s largest initiative supporting Africa's innovation ecosystem. With ten thematic hubs across the continent, timbuktoo provides resources, expertise, and funding to young entrepreneurs to accelerate their impact. Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), timbuktoo’s vision is to empower Africa’s youth to lead the next wave of global innovation in sectors such as HealthTech, MineTech, Agritech, Fintech, and more.For more information, visit timbuktoo Africa.

UNDP

UNDP Africa supports 46 countries in accelerating the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, expediting structural economic transformation for sustainable development, building resilience to shocks, and promoting sound governance, peace and security throughout the continent. Guided by the principle that Africa is not homogenous, UNDP's Renewed Strategic Offer in Africa is a premier ENABLER and INTEGRATOR for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the African Union's Agenda 2063. 

https://www.undp.org/africa

In Rwanda, UNDP has been working as a key development partner of choice since 1977, to achieve sustainable human development in economic, social and environmental fronts. Working closely with the Government, civil society, the private sector and communities, UNDP aims to eradicate extreme poverty, and reduce inequalities and exclusion to protect both people and the planet. https://www.undp.org/rwanda

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