Transforming African
MedTech Conference
AUG 24-25, 2023
NAIROBI, KENYA
Building a Vision for the Future of a Comprehensive & Transformative African Medical Technology Industry
Villgro Africa & Jaza Rift Ventures, in collaboration with Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies, Kenyatta University, Ifakara Innovation Hub, and PDP Forum are convening the first annual pan-African medical technology conference with the aim of building a vision for the future for a comprehensive and transformative African medical technology industry. For the purpose of this conference, we are defining medtech as medical devices & equipment, robotics, AI, and wearables. The first convening will be in August 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.
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​By increasing linkages across the continent, we aim to strategically support the realisation of locally conceived, developed, and manufactured medical technology that can be distributed and used throughout the African continent.
ABOUT US
Organising Committee
Eng. Wambui Nyabero
Chief Technology Officer at Villgro Africa
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Since June 2021, Eng. Wambui Nyabero has been the Chief Technology Officer at Villgro Africa where she provides strategic, technical and business leadership for Villgro Africa’s medtech program and is growing an invention-based health technologies pipeline through training, mentoring and partnerships. Wambui is a mentor to many of the technology startups in Villgro Africa’s portfolio. She is also a member of the Global Health Advisory Council, which seeks to expand the impact of behavioural science applications in healthcare. In addition, Wambui is a 2021 AVPA Africa-Asia Impact Investing Fellow.
Sewu-Steve Tawia
General Partner at Jaza Rift Ventures
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Sewu-Steve Tawia is a Ghanaian-French investment and development finance professional with over 20 years of experience in development finance, strategy consulting, angel investing and venture capital funds and fund of funds in Europe and Africa. He is currently General Partner at Jaza Rift Ventures, a $5m seed fund backing East to West Africa-focused health tech, medtech, and biotech startups, developed in partnership with Villgro Africa.
Dr. Kenneth Iloka
Biomedical Engineer and Lecturer at Kenyatta University
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Dr. Kenneth Iloka holds a PhD in Management Information Systems (Kenyatta University), MBA in Management Information Systems (Kenyatta University), Bachelor of Industrial Technology in Medical Engineering (Egerton University) and a Diploma in Medical Engineering (Technical University of Mombasa). He has over 24 years’ experience in healthcare technical services consultancy and delivery as well as 7 years of teaching and research in areas of biomedical engineering, healthcare technology & information systems management and project management.
Dr. June Madete
Head of Department, Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Kenyatta University
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Dr. June Madete is an enthusiastic and dynamic engineer, researcher, and senior lecturer, with over 16 years of experience in biomedical engineering training and research. Her specialty is biomechanics, looking at the body as a machine. She earned her PhD in medical engineering specialising in biomechanics, motion capture, imaging studies and patient data collection. She seeks to develop biomedical engineering in Africa through knowledge and skill transfer.
Dr. Robert Karanja
Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at Villgro Africa
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Dr. Robert Karanja is a biomedical scientist and development entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in STEM and development sectors. He holds a PhD in Parasitology and Entomology from JKUAT. As a scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Robert was actively involved in the establishment of the intellectual property (IP) and technology transfer office (TTO), where he discovered his passion for innovation. This paved the way for his entrepreneurial career as co-founder at Villgro Africa. Robert is passionate about transforming Africa through innovation and building local value chains. In addition, he is an active angel investor and serves on the board of several firms and organisations in Kenya and the region.
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Khatuchi Khasandi
Rice 360 Director of Invention Education Partnerships
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Khatuchi Khasandi is the Director of Invention Education (IvE) Partnerships, at Rice University’s Rice 360 Institute for Global Health Technologies. In this role, she leads Rice 360's visioning, planning, and coordination of IvE projects and collaborations to sustainably advance innovation and entrepreneurship addressing healthcare challenges in low-resource settings.
Masoud Mnonji
Director at the Ifakara Innovation Hub
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My ambition in life is to contribute to the development of life-saving innovations, and technology as well as build a sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Tanzania. At this stage in my career, I am extremely motivated to work and contribute to translating innovations and insights from African health research that support wellness and livelihood into marketable goods and services.
Agenda
Aug 24th 2023
7:00 - 8:45
Breakfast & Vision Setting Workshop (Invitation Only)
Floor 3, Mara Room
8:00 - 9:00
Registration & Name Tag Pickup
Collect your attendee packet
9:00-9:10
Welcome Remarks
Eng. Wambui Gachiengo Nyabero Villgro Africa & Ms. Khatuchi Khasandi, Rice 360
Floor 14
9:10 - 9:20
Patient Story I
Dr. Moses Ochora , Photokabada
Floor 14
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9:20 - 9:30
Remarks by Chief Guest​
Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University
Prof. Paul K. Wainaina
Floor 14
9:30 - 9:50
Opening Keynote
The Transformative Potential of a Robust African Medtech Industry
Dr. Victor Konde
Scientific Affairs Officer, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
Floor 14
9:50 - 10:15
Coffee Break & Networking
Press Conference
Floor 3, Mara Room
10:15 -11:15
Medtech Ecosystem Landscape & Discussion
Moderator: Eng. Wambui Nyabero (Villgro Africa)
Panelists: Phoebe Khagame (Oxygen Alliance), Dr. Kamau Gachigi (Gearbox Kenya), Wilfred Njagi (Villgro Africa)
Floor 14
11:15-12:15
Panel: What Does African-Centred Medtech Look Like?
Moderator: Dr. June Madete (Kenyatta University)
Panelists: Daniel Atwine (SOAR Research Foundation), Dr. Muhammad A. Rushdi (Cairo University and New GIza University), Dr. Data Santorino (CAMTech)
Floor 14
12:15-1:15
Panel: Financial Sustainability in Medtech
Moderator: Sewu-Steve Tawia (Jaza Rift Ventures)
Panelists: Arnold Mwangi (DOB Equity), Dr. Emma Waiyaiya (Beyond Elephant Advisory), Bernard Chiira (Innovate Now/AT Ventures)
Floor 14
1:15-2:30
Lunch
Floor 3
2:30-3:30
Local Manufacturing Capacity
Moderator: Dr. Kamau Gachigi (Gearbox)
Panelists: Roneek Vora (Revital Healthcare), Eng. Gabriel Bruwer (Sinapi Biomedical), Eng. Habtamu Abofoge (Simbona)
Floor 14
3:30-4:30
Panel: Market Access
Moderator Khatuchi Kasandi (Rice360)
Panelists: Dr. Erick Mbuthia (Ilara Health), NellyAnne Ndumi (VIA Global), Eng. Ali Khalid (Hatch Technologies)
Floor 14
4:30 - 5:00
Closing Remarks
Prof. Maina Mwangi (Director of Incubation, Innovation, and Industry Linkages, Kenyatta University)
Floor 14
5:00-6:30
Networking Mixer
7:00-10:00
Aug 25th 2023
Rice360/KU Academia/Industry Breakfast Workshop (Invite Only)
Moderators: Khatuchi Khasandi (Rice360), Dr. June Madete (Kenyatta University)
Floor 3, Mara Room
7:00-7:45
Judges Breakfast and Briefing Session
Floor 3
8:00-10:00
Startup Pitch Session
Judging Panel: Wilfred Njagi (Villgro Africa), Arnold Mwangi (DOB Equity), Sewu-Steve Tawia (Jaza Rift Ventures), Dr. Emma Waiyaya (Beyond Elephant Advisory) Astuti Sharma (Ascent Capital)
Floor 14
10:00-10:30
Coffee Break & Networking
Floor 14
10:30-10:50
Keynote Speech
How Can We Accelerate Medtech Innovations and Products Across the African Continent?
Prof. Ndirangu Kioni (Ag. Head, Research-Innovation Ecosystems and Entrepreneurship Education Office, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology)
Floor 14
10:50-11:05
Patient Story
Dr. Mary Waiyego (Neonatologist at Kenyatta National Hospital)
Floor 14
11:05-12:15
Medtech Innovation Ecosystem Stories
Moderator: Will Moyo
1. Masoud Mnonji (PDP Consortium)
2. Dr. Gerard Rushingabigwi (EA Biodesign; University of Rwanda College of Science & Technology)
3. Bernard Chiira (Innovate Now)
4. Elizabeth Asma (Nest 360)
Floor 14
12:15-1:15
Regulatory & Policy Landscape
Moderator: Dr. Robert Karanja (Villgro Africa)
Panelists: Dr. David Karenye (MEDAK), Dr. Lutchmee Nobaub (Clinear Research) Grace Baloyi (South African Medical Research Council)
Floor 14
1:15-2:15
Lunch
Floor 3
2:15-3:30
Agenda/Vision Setting Workshop: Fostering Partnerships to Accelerate Medtech Commercialisation in Africa
Breakout Rooms:
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Industry/Academia — Floor 3, Mara Room
Moderators: Khatuchi Khasandi & Dr. June Madete
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Manufacturing/Innovation — Floor 14
Moderators: Eng. Wambui Nyabero, Eng. Shaukatali Hussein & Eng. Paul Nyaki
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Investment Community — Floor 14
Moderators: Sewu-Steve Tawia & Wilfred Njagi
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Market Access — Floor 14
Moderators: Moses Waweru & NellyAnne Ndumi
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Regulatory and Policy — Floor 14
Moderator: Dr. Robert Karanja
4:00 -5:00
Closing Plenary
Report on Partnerships Agenda
Floor 14
5:00-5:30
Closing and Awards Ceremony
Closing Remarks & Vote of Thanks: Wilfred Njagi
Startup Awards
Floor 14
5:30-7:00
Networking Reception
Floor 14
The Venue
Mercure Hotel
5.400 KM, 11 min from Wilson Airport
Set in the Upper Hill commercial district, 23 km from Nairobi National Park and 6 km from Nairobi National Museum.
Our Partners
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