Bridgit Owora

A visionary healthcare innovator who developed groundbreaking telemedicine solutions for rural Africa

Bridgit Owora is a Kenyan social entrepreneur and technologist whose work in healthcare innovation has transformed access to medical services across sub-Saharan Africa. Born in 1985 in Nairobi, she witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by rural populations in accessing healthcare during her childhood visits to her grandmother's village. This inspired her to create M-Tiba, a mobile health platform launched in 2013 that integrates mobile money systems with healthcare providers. The service allows users to save, pay for, and track medical expenses through their mobile phones - a revolutionary solution in regions with limited banking infrastructure.

Owora's innovation has directly impacted over 12 million patients and 5,000 healthcare facilities across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. By partnering with telecom giant Safaricom and insurance providers like Britam, M-Tiba has reduced out-of-pocket medical costs by 40% for users while enabling real-time disease surveillance data for public health officials. Her work was recognized with the 2016 African Social Innovator Award and a spot on Forbes Africa's '30 Under 30' list in 2017.

In 2020, Owora expanded her impact through Owora Innovations, a tech incubator focusing on healthtech solutions for the African market. The company's flagship product, TeleMedAfrica, provides virtual consultations with certified physicians via SMS and voice calls - a critical service during the pandemic when in-person visits were restricted. This platform now serves 85% of Kenya's counties, many of which are remote and underserved.

Her advocacy for digital health equity extends beyond technology. Owora co-founded the African Health Alliance, a coalition of governments, NGOs, and tech firms working to standardize telehealth regulations across the continent. Through her TED Talk "How I built a healthcare revolution on a mobile platform", she shares insights on scaling social impact through tech innovation.