Six Women Redefining Digital Health In Africa: African Women In Digital Health (AWiDH) Announce Their Mentorship Program Winners

The  African  Women  in  Digital  Health  (AWiDH)  initiative  announces the six winners of their annual Mentorship Program. The winners made it through a competitive  selection  process  involving  337  applications  from  over  33  African  countries.  By  showing  how  they  meaningfully  contribute  to  strengthening  health  systems  and  tackling  public  health  challenges.  From  product  innovation,  by  increasing  safe  and  equitable  access  to  health  services,  through  to  policy  frameworks that ensure innovative ideas move beyond pilots into sustainable, scalable solutions. 

Women  are  often  at  the  forefront  of  healthcare  delivery  systems  across  Africa,  comprising  70%  of  the  continent’s  health  workforce.  However,  in  digital  health—a  space  full  of  potential  to  revolutionize  healthcare  delivery  – women  remain  underrepresented  in  leadership  and  are  cut  off  from  the  critical  networks and resources required to succeed. 

The AWiDH mentorship program wants to change this by increasing the representation and leadership of  African women in  the digital health space. This second edition is accelerating  the leadership journey of  early-career African women driving policy change and innovation in digital health. 

The six winners are, in alphabetical order:  

• Aisha Abubakar Aliyu (Nigeria) – Preparedness and Readiness Officer, Nigeria Centre  for Disease  Control and Prevention (NCDC). Aisha strengthens Africa’s health security through digital surveillance,  emergency preparedness, and logistics innovation. Her work at NCDC has reduced outbreak response  times and improved epidemic containment nationwide. 

• Ahlam Saeed Ali (Tanzania/Zanzibar) – Health Information Systems Specialist, Zanzibar Ministry of  Health. Ahlam has led the rollout of digital tools for malaria tracking and national health dashboards,  advancing Zanzibar’s Digital Health Strategy and improving patient outcomes through real-time data  systems. 

• Rose Maéva Bilack Dongo (Cameroon) – Founder, E-Medsafe. Rose founded E-Medsafe, a platform  that integrates human, animal, and environmental health data to monitor epidemics and ensure safe  access to medicines. Her innovation supports early outbreak detection and better healthcare delivery in underserved areas. 

• Dr. Viviane Oke (Benin) – Medical Doctor and Founder, ELLES App. Viviane’s ELLES App provides  telemedicine  and  reproductive  health  services  to  women  across  more  than  20  African  countries,  expanding access to information and care—especially in rural regions. 

• Dr. Wanjiru Kigathi  (Kenya) – Health Economist and Digital Health Policy Specialist. Wanjiru has  shaped digital health governance across Africa, from Kenya’s Digital Health Bill to cross-border data  frameworks. Her advocacy  for inclusive innovation has improved interoperability and public health  preparedness. 

• Worship  Mahembe  (Zimbabwe) – Co-founder,  ZimSmart  Villages. Worship  develops  AI-powered  health solutions, including teleobstetrics and breast cancer detection tools, that enhance access to care  and save maternal lives in remote communities.

The mentorship journey ahead 

Over  the coming months,  the six winners will be paired with accomplished mentors, African and global  experts in digital health, public health, and technology, who will guide them in advancing their projects and  leadership goals. Together,  they will strengthen  their skills in strategy, innovation, and communication,  while building lasting networks that expand their impact across Africa. 

Meet the six mentors: 

• Dr.  Elizabeth Wamicha  (Kenya) – Digital  Transformation  &  Information  Systems  Expert.  Dr.  Wamicha leads data-driven health and development projects across Africa and has worked with  the UN, Palladium, and academic institutions. She champions inclusive innovation and mentors  emerging leaders to harness technology for impact. 

• Dr. Christie Akwaowo (Nigeria) – Consultant Public Health Physician. Dr. Akwaowo is a global  health  scholar  focused  on  strengthening  health  systems  and  digital  innovation.  A  Kofi  Annan  Leadership Fellow, she leads research and training in Nigeria and advances work on digital health  adoption and AI integration. 

• Dr. Gifty  Sunkwa-Mills  (Ghana) – Public Health Researcher & Digital Health  Expert. Dr.  Gifty  Sunkwa-Mills  is  a  medical  doctor  and  public  health  researcher  advancing  digital  health  and  evidence-based policy across Africa. A mentor and advocate for women in STEAM, she promotes  inclusive technologies that improve health equity. 

• Fatou Wurie (Sierra Leone) – Founder & CEO, Youterus Health. Fatou is a global health strategist  transforming  uterine  and  gynecological  care  through  innovation.  A  Mo  Ibrahim  Fellow  and  Harvard DrPH candidate, she brings experience from UNICEF and maternal health advocacy across  Africa. 

• Yasa Chola Bwalya (Zambia) – Digital Health Specialist at Center for infectious disease research  in Zambia. Yasa has over 12 years of experience strengthening Zambia’s digital health systems, co developing national informatics curricula, and leading the transition to electronic health records.  She advocates for data-driven equity and mentors young women in STEAM. 

• Dr. Precious Lunga (Zimbabwe) – Co-Founder & CEO, Baobab Circle. Dr. Lunga is a neuroscientist  and digital health innovator developing AI-powered  tools  for chronic disease management. She  brings two decades of experience from UNAIDS, Econet Wireless, and major research institutions. 

The mentorship experience will include: 

• Personalized mentorship with African and global leaders in health tech, public health, and policy. • Tailored training in product development, strategy, communications, and branding to accelerate  their innovations. 

• Leadership coaching to strengthen executive presence, confidence, and decision-making. • Global exposure and networking opportunities through flagship platforms such as the AWiDH  Bootcamp, the Africa Health Tech Summit, and the Galien Forum 2025 in Dakar. 

“This  year’s  applications  reflect  the  incredible  creativity  and  commitment  of  African  women  in  digital  health,” said Anicia Santos, Senior Solutions Architect at Resolve to Save Lives. “The six finalists embody  the leadership, innovation, and dedication needed to transform healthcare systems across the continent.” 

“Supporting women leaders in digital health is key to building resilient and equitable health systems,” said  Yaye  Sophietou  Diop,  Director  of  Partnerships  and  Development  at  Speak  Up  Africa.  “AWiD  supports  women who are driving policy change and innovation in digital health gain the confidence, networks, and  skills to turn their ideas into solutions that improve lives across Africa.”

The AWiDH initiative, led in partnership with Africa CDC and Speak Up Africa and supported by Resolve to  Save  Lives,  continues  to  champion  African  women in  digital  health  and  strives  to  close  the  continent’s  digital health gender gap.