Nolithi Nxumalo

South African social entrepreneur revolutionizing healthcare access through technology

Nolithi Nxumalo (born 1985) is a pioneering South African entrepreneur whose company Health-e has transformed healthcare accessibility across sub-Saharan Africa. As founder and CEO of this digital health platform launched in 2014, she created Africa's first telemedicine network connecting rural clinics to urban specialists through mobile technology. This innovation reduced maternal mortality rates by 30% in participating regions while expanding access to 2.3 million patients annually. Nxumalo's approach integrates AI diagnostics and blockchain record-keeping, making healthcare systems more efficient and transparent. Her work earned recognition from the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader in 2018. Beyond technology, she established the African Health Innovators Network, providing mentorship to 500+ startups across 15 countries. Nxumalo's vision of 'health equity through tech' challenges traditional healthcare models, demonstrating how digital solutions can bridge Africa's urban-rural divide. Her 2019 TED Talk How We Can Use Tech to Solve Africa's Health Crisis has over 2 million views, inspiring global health innovators. By securing $15M in venture capital funding for rural health tech projects, she's proving that sustainable change requires both technological innovation and community-driven solutions.