Nigerian Healthtech Startup HubPharm Africa Wins $30,000 ECOWAS Prize

Nigerian healthtech company HubPharm Africa has won the second ECOWAS Startup Awards, taking home the competition’s $30,000 first prize at the awards ceremony in Abuja on September 30.

The company, co-founded by pharmacists Sesan Kareem and Tope Kareem, emerged ahead of other finalists from across West Africa. Senegal’s Gaynako received $20,000 for second place, while Côte d’Ivoire’s My Opinion took third place with $15,000. The total prize pool was $65,000.

HubPharm Targets Chronic Disease Care

Founded in 2021, HubPharm operates from Lagos and focuses on improving access to medicines and ongoing care for people living with chronic conditions.

The company describes its model as an AI-powered specialty pharmacy and coordinated-care platform, combining medicine sourcing, pharmacist support, patient follow-up and digital tools designed to help patients stay on their treatment plans.

One of its technology products is Afiya AI, a WhatsApp-based health companion that provides medication reminders, adherence monitoring and refill prompts.

HubPharm says its platform currently supports more than 10,200 chronic-care patients, with services covering conditions including diabetes, hypertension, oncology and HIV/PrEP.

Award Opens Regional Opportunities

Beyond the $30,000 prize, the ECOWAS award gives HubPharm access to regional investor networks and potential partnerships.

The top three winners are expected to receive access to investor deal rooms and investment opportunities, while all 60 finalists will participate in a six-month acceleration programme offering mentorship and regional market exposure.

Tope Kareem said the competition has also created opportunities for HubPharm to explore partnerships with startups in other West African markets. Rather than establishing physical operations in every country, the company is considering partnerships that could help extend its services across borders.

The 2026 ECOWAS Startup Awards attracted 8,679 registrations from 12 member states, with 1,499 qualifying applications. Sixty startups reached the final stage across sectors including healthtech, fintech, agritech, cleantech, EdTech and tourism technology.

ECOWAS has indicated that it plans to make the awards an annual programme, with discussions around increasing the first prize to $50,000 in future editions. the award adds to a growing list of startup programmes and competitions the company has participated in as it develops its digital approach to chronic-care management.