Dr. Funmi Adewara was born in January 1979 in northern Nigeria, where her early life experiences would shape her into one of Africa’s most innovative healthcare entrepreneurs. Growing up in a region where quality healthcare was often a distant dream for many, she witnessed firsthand the challenges that would later drive her mission to revolutionize healthcare delivery across the continent. Her journey from a young girl navigating her health challenges and the Nigeria’s healthcare system to becoming a globally recognized telemedicine pioneer exemplifies the transformative power of turning personal adversity into solutions that benefit millions.
The philosophy guiding her career journey is encapsulated in her own words:
“Your dreams must exceed your current capacity to achieve them…you are enough, you can do it.”
From Personal Pain to Purpose
As a child growing up in northern Nigeria, specifically in Kaduna State, Dr. Funmi Adewara experienced a severe hand injury that would profoundly shape her life’s mission. The injury required multiple surgeries and frequent hospital visits, exposing her to the harsh realities of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“I remember sitting in overcrowded waiting rooms, watching doctors stretched thin, unable to meet the needs of so many patients,” Dr. Funmi recalls.
This formative experience, combined with her mother’s work as a nurse and the stories of healthcare challenges she shared, ignited Funmi’s passion for transforming healthcare in Africa.
Growing up with intimate knowledge of the healthcare system’s shortcomings, Funmi developed an early understanding that healthcare wasn’t a luxury.
“I knew early on that healthcare wasn’t a privilege — it was a necessity, and I wanted to be part of changing the system,” she explains.
This conviction would drive her through years of education and professional development, ultimately leading to the creation of one of Africa’s most innovative telemedicine platforms.
Educational Foundation and Professional Development
Funmi Adewara’s journey toward becoming a healthcare innovator began with her medical education at the University of Ibadan, where she studied Medicine (MBBS). After graduating as top 1% of her class in 2005 at age 26, like many of her colleagues seeking better opportunities and advanced training, she relocated to the United Kingdom to further her career. Her 15 years of experience working within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) provided her with invaluable insights into how efficient healthcare systems operate.
Recognizing the need to bridge medical practice with business innovation, Dr Funmi pursued and a Master’s degree in Bioscience Enterprise at Cambridge University in 2011. This additional qualification proved transformative, as she explains:
“That gave me the opportunity to learn how things are done in the West and also I’ve been able to see the opportunity that is applicable in Africa where we could apply technology to change the narrative.”
Her extensive background spans medicine, pharmaceuticals, and business development, including significant experience as a Drug Safety Physician in the pharmaceutical industry. This unique combination of clinical expertise and business acumen positioned her perfectly to identify and address the systemic healthcare challenges facing Africa.
The Birth of MobiHealth: Technology Meets Compassion
In 2017, driven by her passion for transforming healthcare in underserved communities, Dr Funmi founded MobiHealth International. The company began by providing pro-bono digital health services across Africa before launching commercially in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
The timing proved fortuitous, as the pandemic accelerated global acceptance of telemedicine solutions. However, Dr Funmi’s vision extended far beyond temporary pandemic responses.
“We leverage technology to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable to millions of people across the world, with a particular focus on Africa, because we saw that the need was greatest there,” she explains.
Her decision to focus on Africa was informed by stark healthcare statistics. The continent bears 25% of the global disease burden but has only 3% of the world’s healthcare workers.
“We have a shortage of doctors, long distance travel to facilities and a high mortality rate. But we are one of the fastest growing markets in mobile technology adoption, and we saw the opportunity that can help Africa leapfrog our healthcare challenges,” Dr Funmi notes.
How MobiHealth Works: Democratizing Healthcare Access
MobiHealth operates as a comprehensive telemedicine platform that connects patients with healthcare professionals across geographical boundaries. The system works much like other digital services people use daily.
“You know the way you do your mobile banking; you do your flight booking. You do it from home now. Nobody really goes into the centre; how much more for healthcare care,” Dr Funmi explains.
The platform allows patients to book appointments with doctors who may be located anywhere in the world, democratizing access to medical expertise. Patients can review doctor profiles, experience levels, specialties, and reviews before making their selection. During consultations, doctors can conduct remote examinations using artificial intelligence devices and digital tools, enabling them to listen to heart sounds, check blood pressure readings, and assess vital signs from anywhere in the world.
What sets MobiHealth apart is its end-to-end approach. After consultations, doctors can order tests, which are then sent to the nearest partner laboratory or pharmacy. Medications can be delivered directly to patients’ homes or workplaces, creating a seamless healthcare experience that eliminates many traditional barriers.
The platform operates through multiple access points to ensure inclusivity.
“We have not just created a solution for the rich, for those people who have digital skills, who have smartphones. We created a solution for the poor, for everyone, and because we don’t want to leave anyone behind,” Dr Funmi emphasizes.
The service includes smartphone apps, call-in services, and walk-in telehealth clinics that can be established in existing facilities with minimal infrastructure requirements.
Reaching the Underserved: The African Rural Health Revolution
Understanding that rural communities suffer most from lack of healthcare access, MobiHealth has developed innovative solutions for hard-to-reach areas. The company has established 20 integrated telehealth clinics that offer remote consultations, diagnostics, and specialist care through digital health tools. These clinics come equipped with solar power and internet connectivity, requiring only basic computer skills from local operators.
“In a village where you don’t have any doctor, nurses before, all of a sudden you could have like five doctors doing consultations on the screen,” Dr Funmi explains.
This model has been successfully demonstrated across Nigeria, including partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for proof-of-concept implementations in rural areas of Epe local government, Kaduna State, and Kogi State.
One of MobiHealth’s most ambitious initiatives offers healthcare for just $1 a month for rural and underserved populations, allowing Africans in the diaspora and global supporters to sponsor essential services. This approach addresses the economic barriers that often prevent rural communities from accessing quality healthcare.
Impact and Recognition: Global Acclaim for Local Solutions
Under Dr. Funmi’s leadership, MobiHealth has achieved remarkable growth and recognition. From 2020 to 2021, the company’s subscriber base in Nigeria grew from less than 4,000 to more than 34,000, with revenue increasing from $83,500 to $814,400. The platform has established partnerships with over 200 hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies, creating a comprehensive healthcare network.
The company’s impact has earned global recognition and numerous awards. Dr. Funmi was one of seven global winners of the World Bank SDGs & Her 2020 Awards, selected from over 2,400 entries worldwide. She also won the Sanofi Africa-Tech Challenge in Paris in 2020, competing against 268 contestants across 34 countries.
In 2022, MobiHealth received a significant boost with a $1 million grant from the US Trade and Development Agency to extend telehealth services to other African countries. This grant is part of a larger $67 million deal package that includes feasibility studies for expansion into Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Dr. Funmi’s achievements have earned her recognition as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent, and she was invited to the Africa-UK Investment Summit by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2020. Her entrepreneurial journey was celebrated at the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Milestone Maker Program, where she was showcased at New York’s Times Square in 2023.
Other notable international acclaim include:
- African Female Tech Founders Award – Sponsored by the UK Government.
- Forbes Woman Africa Technology & Innovation Award (2023).
- Top 50 Finalist, Africa’s Business Heroes – Recognized for entrepreneurship.
Strategic Partnerships: Building a Healthcare Ecosystem
MobiHealth’s success is built on strategic partnerships that extend its reach and impact. The company has pioneered telehealth services for the Nigerian Air Force in 2021, marking the first initiative of its kind in Africa. Partnership with Union Bank of Nigeria provides access to the bank’s 6 million customer base through telehealth clinics in 300 branches nationwide.
A recent partnership with Airtel Nigeria brings MobiHealth’s services to millions of Airtel subscribers across the continent, significantly expanding access to digital healthcare.
“Through this partnership with Airtel, we are taking a giant step towards our mission to bridge the healthcare gap, by leveraging telemedicine technology,” Dr. Funmi explains.
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a project preparation facility with MobiHealth worth up to $1.5 million to drive digital healthcare solutions across Africa. This partnership is expected to unlock further investments estimated at $65 million for expanding telemedicine services across the continent.
Challenges and Future Vision
Despite its success, MobiHealth has faced significant challenges. “Tonnes. Tonnes. Tonnes of challenges,” Dr. Funmi admits candidly. These include slow uptake due to poor awareness, skepticism about virtual consultations, and the particular challenge of securing funding as a female-led enterprise. Nothing that
“For a female-led enterprises like ours, getting funding is a Herculean task,”
However, these challenges haven’t diminished her vision for the future. Dr. Funmi envisions scaling MobiHealth’s model to reach millions more across Africa. “Our work is just beginning,” she says.
“We are building a healthcare system for the future — one that is resilient, inclusive and capable of meeting Africa’s growing population’s needs.”
Her advocacy extends beyond business operations to policy formulation, serving as an external reviewer to the Africa Development Bank and contributing to United Nations and World Health Summit initiatives. She believes telemedicine can address 60% of medical issues facing Africans and is committed to making this vision a reality.
A Legacy of Innovation and Compassion
Dr. Funmi Adewara’s journey from a child experiencing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges to becoming a global leader in telemedicine exemplifies the power of personal experience combined with professional expertise and unwavering determination. Her philosophy is encapsulated in her own words:
“Your dreams must exceed your current capacity to achieve them…you are enough, you can do it.”
Through MobiHealth, she has created more than a business; she has developed a model for transforming healthcare access across Africa.
“This is about creating a resilient, sustainable and inclusive system, where people, no matter where they are, can access the care they need,” she explains.
Her work demonstrates that technology, when applied with compassion and deep understanding of local challenges, can indeed bridge the healthcare gap and save lives across the continent.
As MobiHealth continues to expand across Africa, Dr. Funmi’s vision of making quality healthcare accessible to all, regardless of location or economic status, moves closer to reality. Her story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs across Africa and beyond, proving that personal adversity can be transformed into powerful solutions that benefit millions.