ADHN 20 Startups to Watch 2026

Building the Next Cohort of Africa's Digital Health Innovators

The Africa Digital Health Networks (ADHN) is proud to launch the ADHN Startups Watchlist 2026, a flagship initiative to identify and spotlight Africa’s most promising digital health ventures.

We invite hubs, accelerators, and ecosystem partners to nominate startups for inclusion in this curated list. The Watchlist (10 startups + 10 scaleups) will be launched at a high-profile plenary session during the Africa HealthTech Summit 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda and this will serve as an authoritative signal to investors, partners, and policymakers of the most impactful innovations emerging from Africa.

Submission Deadline: 10th September 2026

Why 20 Startups to Watch?

Being selected as one of startups is an opportunity to put your innovation in front of investors, policymakers, healthcare leaders and partners shaping the future of digital health in Africa.

Visibility & Recognition

Featured on the ADHN 20 Startups to Watch 2026 list
Featured in the ADHN Innovator Lookbook
Launch at AHTS 2026
Branded certificates and digital badges
Founder portraits and media-ready materials

Market Linkages & Investor Access

Public sector engagement and policy linkages
Guaranteed Deal Room access
Pre-booked investor meetings
Investor introductions across Africa and globally
Opportunities to explore growth capital

Showcase & Growth Opportunities

Startup Pavilion at AHTS 2026
Standardised exhibitor kit
Event website visibility
Innovation Spotlight Wall
Post-event follow-up and tailored introductions

What We’re Seeking?

Being selected as one of startups is an opportunity to put your innovation in front of investors, policymakers, healthcare leaders and partners shaping the future of digital health in Africa.

Home-based Care & Remote Patient Support
Chronic Disease & Patient Management
AI-powered Healthcare & Diagnostics
Healthcare Supply Chain & logistics
Maternal, Neonatal, Child & Adolescent Health
Non-Communicable Diseases & Mental Health

Communicable Diseases
Immunisation & Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Preventive & Promotive health
Environmental, Occupational, & One Health
Health Systems Strengthening & Data Governance
Health Financing, Insurance Innovation, & Public-Private Partnerships

Review and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be Africa-based startups at minimum prototype phase, nominated through recognised hubs, accelerators, or ecosystem partners, and will be categorised into two tracks:

Application Form

Submit your application or nomination for consideration for ADHN 20 Startups to Watch 2026.

2025 Highlights

Watch the brief of the 2025 of the ADHN Startup Watchlist of 2025

FAQs

Africa-based startups at minimum prototype stage working in one or more of ADHN's priority digital health areas.

20 startups: 10 early-stage ventures and 10 scale-ups.

The tracks are differentiated primarily by funding stage, funding raised, revenue and demonstrated commercial traction.

Not necessarily. Early-stage startups may demonstrate customer validation or pilots. Scale-ups are expected to demonstrate stronger commercial traction.

Yes. The 2026 programme is designed to provide Deal Room access to all 20 selected startups.

Selected startups will be showcased at AHTS 2026 in Kigali through the Startup Pavilion, Deal Room and General Assembly video showcase.

Application Deadline is 10th September 2026