On April 4, 2025, at Norrsken House Kigali, leaders and innovators from across Africa convened for the Women in Health Tech Forum 2025—a morning of dynamic conversation, bold ideas, and renewed purpose. Sponsored and organized by Novartis, the event brought together powerful voices to explore the future of health innovation through a gender-inclusive lens.
Chaired by Sarah Des Rosier director of Health Equity at Novartis, the forum featured a lively panel that tackled the critical role of technology in healthcare, especially for women across Africa.
“We have to digitize health if we want to make it equitable,” Lucy Mbabazi managing director at Better Than Cash alliance emphasized during the panel discussion. “A mother in a village should not have to walk miles to access basic care when a phone could bridge that gap.”
Her remarks set the tone for a session focused on designing solutions that center the needs and experiences of African women—both as patients and professionals.
Rachel Sibande, Senior Program Officer for Artificial Intelligence – Africa at the Gates Foundation, raised a compelling point about data sovereignty and the importance of engaging African technologists in the development of ethical AI systems.
“Local talent should be part of building the tools we use—not just consuming them,” she said during the Q&A session. “We must ensure that African data is used ethically and strategically.”
From an investor’s standpoint, Sewu-Steve Tawia, Founder and Managing Partner at Jaza Rift, spoke about the growing interest in female-led health ventures:
“Investors are watching Africa, but what they want to see is sustainability and impact,” he explained during the panel. “Women-led ventures in health tech are proving they can deliver both.”
Turning attention to organizational culture, Nancy Njoki, People & Culture Lead at The Pathology Network (TPN), addressed internal equity:
“Diversity isn’t a checkbox,” she asserted. “It’s about creating structures that allow everyone—especially women—to thrive, speak up, and lead in science and technology.”
Rounding out the panel was Shori Zand, Chairwoman of Avesina Investment Group, who made a strong case for gender-informed investing:
“We need to invest in the next generation of female founders not out of charity, but because the ROI is clear,” Zand stated during the closing part of the panel.
Bringing the morning to a close, Immanuel Momanyi, Access & Public Affairs Director at Novartis Sub-Saharan Africa, thanked the participants and called for action beyond discussion.
“Innovation must be inclusive,” he said in his closing remarks. “At Novartis, we’re committed to supporting platforms like this that amplify women’s voices and accelerate solutions that work for all.”
Major Takeaways from the Forum:
- Digital health is essential to making care more accessible and inclusive, especially in rural communities.
- Ethical AI development must include African expertise and uphold data sovereignty.
- Women-led startups are attracting investment by demonstrating scalable, impactful solutions.
- Equity in health tech workplaces must go beyond representation and focus on retention, voice, and leadership.
- Investing in women is not just right—it’s strategic, with measurable returns.
The Women in Health Tech Forum 2025 proved more than just a conversation. It was a call to reimagine healthcare with women—not just as beneficiaries but as designers, funders, builders, and leaders of the future.
Special thanks to Novartis, whose sponsorship and vision made this forum possible.
