By Ayomide Otitoju
The future of healthcare innovation in Nigeria received a major boost on Thursday as SFH Access unveiled the first beneficiaries of its CoElevate Catalytic Fund, awarding seed funding to startups positioned to transform healthcare delivery across Nigeria and Africa.
The inaugural edition of CoElevate Catalyst: Scaling the Future of Health, held at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, brought together healthcare leaders, investors, policymakers, innovators and development partners to advance discussions on strengthening health systems through local innovation.
The selected startups emerged from a competitive process that attracted over 250 applications, with entries assessed based on innovation, scalability, sustainability and measurable social impact. The beneficiaries cut across various healthcare sectors, highlighting the growing role of technology-driven entrepreneurship in addressing systemic health challenges.
Beyond the presentation of awards, the event also featured high-level discussions on ecosystem development, funding gaps, partnerships and support systems required to scale health innovations across Africa.
Speaking at the event, Group Director and Managing Director of SFH Access, Dennis Aizobu, said the initiative was designed to address critical financing gaps facing health startups.
He noted that while many innovators possess strong ideas, they often lack the support needed to scale, adding that the CoElevate Fund provides catalytic capital alongside mentorship, partnerships and visibility to help them grow.
According to him, the programme reflects SFH Access’ broader goal of improving healthcare accessibility, affordability and quality through market-driven solutions.
Chairman of the SFH Access Board, Alhaji Ahmed Yakasai, mni, FPSN, described the event as a celebration of innovation and youth-driven impact, urging young entrepreneurs to focus on solutions that address societal challenges.
Also speaking, SFH Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, stressed that sustainable healthcare innovation depends on enabling policies, strategic investment and partnerships that allow solutions to scale effectively.
He said innovation must remain focused on practical healthcare needs while delivering measurable impact on health systems and communities.
During a panel discussion themed “From Grants to Growth: Catalysing the Future of Health Innovation in Nigeria,” stakeholders emphasized that funding alone is insufficient without ecosystem support, mentorship and access to networks.
Executive in Residence at Lagos Business School, Dr. Olu Akanmu, noted that many startups fail not due to weak ideas but due to limited access to expertise and strategic relationships.
He called for stronger collaboration among innovators, investors, policymakers and healthcare providers to ensure long-term success.
Moderating the session, Group Director and Acting Rector of the Institute of Public Health, SFH, Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, said healthcare innovation requires collective effort across sectors.
She stressed that the CoElevate initiative goes beyond funding to building a sustainable ecosystem that enables innovation to thrive.
Country Director of PharmAccess and President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Mrs. Njide Ndili, also commended the initiative, describing it as a valuable platform for advancing youth-led innovation and digital transformation in healthcare.
Participants at the event lauded SFH Access for creating a structured platform to support both early-stage and scaling innovators, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
With the first cohort now unveiled, stakeholders expressed optimism that the CoElevate Catalytic Fund will accelerate health innovation, strengthen systems and improve healthcare outcomes across underserved communities in Nigeria and beyond.
