"i3 was created to demonstrate a new way of supporting startups' commercialization and growth," notes Mara Hansen Staples who helped launch i3 in 2022. "The healthtech ecosystem didn't need more accelerators or incubators - coming out of these programs, leading startups needed customers who could help them bring their innovations to impactful and sustainable scale. By purposefully connecting leaders from startups and large healthcare organizations, we hoped to help create value for patients and systems alike."

In Lagos in December, the Investing in Innovation program—coordinated by Salient Advisory and Solina Center for International Development and Research (SCIDaR)—hosted its 3rd annual Access to Markets event, facilitating over 100 bespoke meetings between Africa’s leading healthtech companies and strategic partners across the continent – all focused on advancing novel partnerships between startups and major healthcare organizations that will sustainably advance patient access. 

“2025 was a wake-up call – the need to work urgently across public and private sectors to find ways to lower costs and sustainably expand patient access became clear. The commitment, creativity and progress that infused Access to Markets this year illustrates how healthcare leaders from all corners are stepping up to create partnerships that serve African patients in new ways,” noted 'Dunni Lawal, who leads the i3 program for Salient Advisory.

The 2025 invite-only event brought together pioneering executives who committed to imagining and enacting new ways of working. Thirteen leading healthtech innovators were joined by 43 healthcare executives from government institutions, global pharmaceutical companies, investors, donors, and ecosystem partners for 1:1 meetings, workshops on corporate strategies and startup engagement opportunities, and more. One startup CEO noted, “I made more progress in 2 days than I usually make in 2 months.”

“At i3 we’re very clear that facilitating meetings with startups is not sufficient – i3 is committed to helping our partners launch large-scale partnerships that help them sustainably expand access for patients,” said Somto Keluo-Udeke, of the i3 program. In this spirit, i3 announced 3 transformative new deals between leading African healthtech startups and global and regional healthcare actors to advance cervical cancer prevention, malaria care and pharmacy-based access. MSD and MYDAWA unveiled a collaboration to advance cervical cancer elimination that will expand access to at-home and in-clinic vaccination for HPV, supported by online booking tools and educational counselling. An MOU between Nigeria's National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain under the Federal Ministry of Health, and Sproxil to combat malaria by improving access to diagnostics and treatments. The partnership leverages Sproxil’s test-to-treat model and AI-powered malaria surveillance to provide real-time data from pharmacies and patent medicine vendors, enabling collaboration with pharmaceutical manufacturers and giving NMEP insights to track distribution, monitor disease patterns, and ensure accountability. And finally, Boehringer Ingelheim’s Social Engagement Fund celebrated recent investments in 3 companies driving the future of pharmacy across Africa: Dawa Mkononi (a member of the latest i3 cohort), Kasha, and Reach52. 

A few years ago i3 was just an idea on how to work differently to jumpstart commercialization and impact - its vision is now coming to fruition. And folks are excited to see a new approach to supporting social innovation working; we had nearly 30 pieces of media reporting on the event - including coverage from Nigeria’s Channels News and CNBC. If you’d like to meet any of the companies present to explore how digitally-enabled startups might help advance your goals, please reach out. If you’re committed to building new partnerships with startups to advance patient access, and would like to be considered for an invitation for the 2026 event, please let us know. 

News across African health systems in 2025 has been dominated by challenges. But quietly a new generation of startups are building the future. End your year with the builders.

Access to Markets '25 is a highly-curated, invite-only event connecting 20 of Africa’s most promising healthtech startups with forward-thinking healthcare organizations.

This year will bring together 20+ of Africa's leading healthtech startups including Chefaa, Dawa Mkononi, Meditect, mPharma, MYDAWA, and Sproxil with a curated selection of creative industry leaders, government officials, investors, ecosystem partners, global financing institutions, donors, and more.

The goal is action: make connections and advance relationships, MOUs, contracts and partnerships that sustainably expand patient access.

Access to Markets is spearheaded by the Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora, Help Logistics, Endless Health, Sanofi, and Boehringer Ingelheim. i3 is a coalition of industry and foundations committed to fostering the commercialization, scale and impact of African healthtech, who invite you to join them.

When & Where

December 9–10, 2025 at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja. 

What to Expect 

• Meet with Africa's top healthtech companies: Meet firsthand with a curated selection of leading companies, hear their pitches and discuss their roadmaps and potential partnership opportunities.

• Workshops with leading healthcare organizations: Learn how global pharmaceutical companies, donors, investors, and government agencies operate and explore partnership opportunities. 

• Insights: Dive into key themes shaping health innovation and access in Africa through panel discussions with experts and lightning talks.  

• Deepen relationships & impact: In a highly-curated environment, build trusted relationships with leading startups, investors and organizations to craft the kind of creative, urgent and ambitious collaborations needed to build sustainable health systems of the future.

Building on Proven Impact 

Now in its 3rd edition, Access to Markets has a track record of driving results. During i3’s first phase, the events facilitated over 450 targeted introductions between startups and partners. These connections led to 122 signed MOUs, pilot projects, and partnerships, with contracts and grants directly influenced by i3 totaling >$13 M in value. Our curated guest list and targeted pre-event matchmaking have consistently led to productive meetings and long-term collaborations. We gather trusted changemakers in the spirit of possibility, progress and resilient joy.

Why Join Us? 

End the year by crafting the future.  Efficiently meet, engage, and partner with Africa’s leading healthtech startups. Discover cutting-edge solutions and emerging trends shaping the sector. Offer services and expertise to help leading startups expand their impact and reach. Meet partners who can help you scale and commercialize. Foster your imagination and advance your vision with others committed to building a sustainable future - in curated meetings, over meals, and even on the dance floor.

If you’d like to join us or you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities, please email malyse@salientadvisory.com

Access to Markets ’25 isn’t just another event, it’s where partnerships shaping the future of health in Africa are born.