Blessing Okwuala

A Nigerian tech entrepreneur who revolutionized healthcare access for rural women through mobile innovation

Blessing Okwuala (born 1987) is a Nigerian tech innovator and founder of Gididi Health, a groundbreaking mobile health platform that connects rural women in Africa with life-saving maternal healthcare services. Through her work, over 500,000 women have accessed critical health information and services since 2015. Okwuala's vision emerged from her own experiences growing up in a rural Nigerian community where maternal mortality rates were alarmingly high. She developed Gididi Health while studying computer science at the University of Nigeria, creating a system that uses SMS and mobile apps to deliver prenatal care guidance, emergency referrals, and postnatal support. Her platform now operates in 12 African countries and has been adopted by UNICEF as a model program. In 2019, she was named one of Africa's Top 100 Innovators by the World Economic Forum. Okwuala's work challenges traditional healthcare delivery models and empowers women through technology, exemplifying how digital solutions can bridge critical gaps in global health equity. She frequently speaks at events like the TEDxLagos conference and has partnered with organizations including the Gates Foundation to expand her initiatives.

Okwuala's innovation is particularly impactful because it addresses two major challenges: the lack of healthcare infrastructure in rural areas and the gender disparities in accessing medical care. By leveraging widely available mobile technology rather than requiring internet access, Gididi Health ensures inclusivity for populations with limited connectivity. Her approach has inspired similar projects across the continent, proving that localized tech solutions can create systemic change. Okwuala continues to advocate for women's health through her nonprofit Gididi Foundation, which provides scholarships for girls pursuing STEM education in Nigeria.