African Women in Digital Health Mentorship Program

The need for increasingly rapid and context-specific responses to diseases in Africa is growing and digital health provides many of the solutions that are needed. Digital healthcare start-ups, many led by women, are emerging across the continent. They support these start-ups and advocate for women’s involvement in digital health policy.

However, women face challenges accessing finance, receiving less than 7% of venture capital. Many lack financial guarantees and are excluded from key networks and associations.

Their mentorship program aims to address this by enhancing business skills and building a supportive community. It helps women grow their start-ups, expand networks, improve pitching, and develop leadership and communication skills, fostering their growth in the digital health space.

How does the Mentorship Program work?

• Working to increase representation and leadership of African women is a pivotal part of creating opportunities for women working in digital health. Their mentorship program is designed to do just that – to support their mentees to strengthen their business knowledge and leadership skills. The program is designed to provide personalized support for their mentees, at the same time creating a community for women to provide support, create networks and to collaborate. The mentorship program will support mentees to grow their start-up, expand their professional networks, learn how to pitch, build on their already existing skills, build self-confidence and improve their communication and leadership skills.

Benefits

• Learning how to grow a startup from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders
• Expanding professional network
• Developing pitching skills
• Building self-confidence
• Improving communication and leadership skills

The Silicon Savannah Retreat

• Hosted from October 24-26, 2024, at the Sarova Whitesands in Mombasa, Kenya, the three-day retreat program fosters personal and professional growth by enhancing business acumen, leadership skills, and mental well-being.
• Kenya is rapidly emerging as a global tech hub. Konza Technopolis, also known as called Silicon Savannah, is a large technology hub planned by the government of Kenya to be built 64 km (39 mi) south of Nairobi on the way to the port city of Mombasa. Hosting the retreat in Kenya is an appropriate homage to the country’s significant role in the digital economy.
• During the retreat, mentees attend in-depth sessions on product development, pitch-building, skill-building for sustainability and leadership, including attracting investment, strengthening leadership and protecting intellectual property. The inclusion of sessions like personal branding and networking strengthens the mentees’ professional connections.
• The mentees participate in one-on-one sessions with their mentors, which foster valuable relationships between mentees and mentors, emphasizing peer learning and collaboration. They work together to develop pitches to effectively refine and communicate their ideas, moving them closer to being investor ready. The program also recognizes the importance of well-being, incorporating reflective wellness walks along the beach to recharge participants’ spirits and foster a sense of community. These moments of reflection are vital for nurturing mental health and encouraging participants to prioritize their well-being as they embark on their leadership journeys. The program ends off with a certification ceremony to honor the hard work and achievements of the mentees, creating a sense of community, cohesion and accomplishment. The program directly addresses the critical underrepresentation of women leaders in digital health, equipping them to drive innovative healthcare solutions for sustainable development across Africa.

For more information, visit AWiDH.