KENYA – Africa Healthcare Network (AHN) has successfully secured US$20 million in a funding round led by a consortium of investors, featuring prominent African institutions Africa50 and AfricInvest, along with Tokyo-based Ohara Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.
This infusion of capital, comprising both equity and debt financing, will play a pivotal role in propelling AHN’s ambitious pan-African growth and expansion initiatives, aiming to bridge substantial gaps in the availability of high-quality and affordable renal care across the continent.
The equity funding is spearheaded by Africa50, an entity specializing in investments with a high impact on growth businesses and projects throughout Africa.
AfricInvest, on the other hand, contributes through its Transform Health Fund (THF), providing crucial debt financing to support AHN’s mission.
Tokyo-based Ohara Pharmaceutical Co Ltd is a key participant in this consortium, aligning with the vision of enhancing healthcare accessibility in Africa.
Matt Williams, Chief Executive of AHN, expressed optimism about the transformative impact of this funding on the battle against kidney disease and the broader improvement of the healthcare landscape in Africa.
The strategic allocation of these funds is earmarked for initiatives that will broaden access to care, leverage technology for disease prevention, fortify the healthcare workforce, and amplify AHN’s overall development impact and sustainability.
As Africa’s population continues to multiply, so does the demand for dialysis services, necessitating an expansion in the healthcare sector.
AHN foresees a 20% year-on-year growth in the number of patients requiring dialysis. This demographic surge presents an opportune moment for private healthcare providers, particularly as many African healthcare systems are evolving from a relatively low starting point.
Key factors contributing to the rising demand for private services include increased urbanization and advancements in education.
The healthcare sector in Africa is poised to generate an estimated US$673 million in revenue in 2023, with an annual growth rate nearing 13%. Market volume is projected to approach US$1.1 billion by 2027, according to data from Statista.
The importance of private providers like AHN becomes evident as African hospitals, on their own, often struggle to generate profits from providing dialysis care.
AHN’s role in addressing the escalating healthcare demands is instrumental in ensuring the availability of essential services for the burgeoning population in Africa.
AHN’s journey began less than a decade ago when it established the first-ever private dialysis center in Rwanda.
Since then, driven by the demand for affordable healthcare, AHN has rapidly expanded to 35 branches across East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Currently operating three dialysis centers in Rwanda, seventeen centers in Tanzania, and eight centers in Kenya, AHN has become a major player in the provision of renal care.
In Rwanda, AHN treats more than 50% of patients on dialysis, 25% in Tanzania, and 5% in Kenya, with its footprint doubling annually.
The recent incorporation in Ghana signals AHN’s strategic move to establish a foothold in West Africa, further expanding its footprint and impact across the continent.
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