Zuri Health completes its $1.3 million pre-seed round

Zuri Health, a digital healthcare firm that provides inexpensive healthcare through mobile, has concluded a fundraising round with DOB Equity, Launch Africa, and Founders Factory Africa to expand across Africa.

Zuri Health uses SMS, WhatsApp, and a specialized app to connect mass-market people with economical, convenient, and high-quality healthcare services. The organization began operations in Kenya in January 2021 and has since expanded to Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Zuri Health has so far collaborated with 16+ major mobile network carriers in seven countries, serving over 400,000 SMS customers, 300 doctors, 27 lab and diagnostic centers, and 15 pharmacies.

Zuri Health has worked with telecommunications companies such as MTN, Safaricom, and Telkom (Kenya) to aggregate healthcare providers such as medical labs, pharmacies, and hospitals. This has allowed Zuri Health to bring healthcare services closer to patients – doctors are only a few mouse clicks or texts away.

“We are driven by the impact our service could have —to be a solution to Africa’s lack of sufficient healthcare. Healthcare infrastructure in most parts of Africa is grossly inadequate, with painfully high doctor-patient ratios. There are many Africans who cannot afford healthcare services or who live too far away from healthcare facilities. And with skilled healthcare workers increasingly leaving Africa for greener pastures, the situation is worsening.” said Ikechukwu Anoke, CEO and Founder of Zuri Health.

Zuri Health intends to use the recent investment to expand its digital platform, expand its product offerings, and establish operations in other areas. Additional funding has also been provided by V8 Capital, Platform Capital, Villgro Africa, Asime Ventures, and the Salik Family Trust.

Dr. Akintoye Akindele, Chairman of Platform Capital, will also join the advisory board as part of Platform Capital’s investment in this round.