Exploring new Frontiers:initial discussions on healthcare innovation
In a promising initial meeting on June 19th, 2025, JHUB Africa and AMREF Health Africa joined forces to explore innovative approaches to healthcare challenges through technology. This strategic collaboration focuses on JHUB Africa’s Digital Transformation pillar, which is dedicated to developing AI-powered health solutions that address real-world challenges across the African continent.
Distinguished Participants: Leaders in Health Innovation
The AMREF delegation was led by C. Shakwei Mbindyo, Chief Innovation Officer, accompanied by Dr. Meggie Mwoka, Paul Odhiambo, and Winnie Mandela from AMREF’s Health Collaborative. This Mastercard Foundation-funded initiative supports health-focused entrepreneurship across seven African universities and the University of Toronto, with a special emphasis on empowering women and persons with disabilities in the health sector.
Dr. Lawrence Nderu, Founder of JHUB Africa and Chair of the Department of Computing at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), hosted the meeting, showcasing the innovative ecosystem he has cultivated.
Showcasing Innovation: From Academic Knowledge to Real-World Impact
During the meeting, Dr. Nderu presented an impressive suite of innovations developed under JHUB Africa’s Digital Transformation stream. These included GlycoSafe, MyGlooco, BomaAI, and MediBotAI, demonstrating how young minds are successfully translating academic knowledge into impactful healthcare solutions.
These innovations represent just a fraction of JHUB Africa’s robust innovation pipeline, where over 1,000 students in computer science, AI, and IT are engaged in more than 30 active projects, creating a vibrant ecosystem of technological advancement.
Bridging the Gap: Knowledge Meets Practicality
Following the formal meeting, students had the opportunity to showcase their work, with MyGlooco particularly impressing the AMREF team with its practical applications and potential impact.
Dr. Nderu shared his vision: “The gap I saw is between knowledge and practicality. I want students to solve real-world health problems using their learning.” This philosophy underpins JHUB Africa’s approach to innovation and education.
Dr. Meggie Mwoka affirmed this vision, stating, “We see health as an economic sector where young entrepreneurs can create solutions and livelihoods.” This perspective aligns perfectly with JHUB Africa’s mission to empower young innovators.
Recognition and Future Collaboration: Scaling Impact Across Borders
Shakwei Mbindyo expressed admiration for the innovations presented: “This is the kind of health-focused product universities should develop… I am envious of your students.” She proposed leveraging AMREF’s extensive reach across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and beyond to pilot and scale innovations like MyGlyooco, opening doors for significant expansion.
JHUB Africa’s team, including Simon Mwangi, MBA., Sophia Chebet, and Jeff Chege, emphasized the value of combining JHUB Africa’s technical expertise with AMREF’s deep community networks to empower youth and drive sustainable health impact across the continent.
A Vision for the Future: Co-Creating Scalable Solutions
This collaboration reflects JHUB Africa’s expanding role in co-creating scalable digital health tools and offering young innovators a platform to lead real-world change. By bringing together academic excellence, technological innovation, and on-the-ground healthcare expertise, this partnership promises to address some of Africa’s most pressing health challenges.
Acknowledgments: Gratitude for Visionary Leadership
We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Lawrence Nderu for his visionary leadership, to AMREF Health Africa for their partnership and commitment to innovation, and to Brian Murithi, founder of the JHUB Africa Innovation Club, for making this collaboration possible.Together, we’re driving innovation where it matters most—in communities across Africa.
Join us in shaping Africa’s digital health future
The success of initiatives like this depends on the collective effort of our entire ecosystem. We invite industry experts, healthcare professionals, and technology leaders to join JHUB Africa as mentors, sharing your expertise with our bright young innovators. For organizations looking to make meaningful social impact, we welcome sponsorship opportunities that directly support student-led healthcare solutions moving from prototype to implementation. Educational institutions and community organizations can partner with us to expand our reach and create new pathways for collaboration.
Together, we can transform healthcare challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth across Africa. Contact us today at info.jhub@jkuat.ac.ke to explore how you can contribute to this transformative journey.