2026 marks 100 years of Black History Month. This Black History Month, we’re celebrating 3 African innovators who are making history. Read on to learn more about their groundbreaking companies and the technology they’re using to ensure healthier lives across Africa, a common goal shared between ONE and the innovators below.
Teniola is the CEO and co-founder of Pharmarun, a Nigerian health-tech startup that performs like Uber, but for pharmaceutical needs. Pharmarun’s goal is to address the challenges that prevent people from gaining access to medication in Africa. Teniola and her team work to provide fast and easy access to medication by collaborating with pharmacies and logistic partners to ensure patients receive their medication when they need it.
Tendekayi Katsiga, Botswana
In sub-Saharan Africa, 50 million people experience disabling hearing loss. That is why Tendekayi co-founded Deaftronics, a company that has several products to help Africa hear, including the world’s first solar powered, rechargeable hearing aid battery. He also created DREET, a mobile app that performs hearing tests over 4 minutes. The test can be used for all ages and helps address the lack of audiologists in Africa.
Joan Nalubega, Uganda
In her home country of Uganda, malaria is the leading cause of death, especially in children under age 5. Joan founded Uganics, a company that incorporates mosquito repellent into an everyday product like soap at an affordable price. The soap offers up to 6 hours of natural mosquito protection. Joan recently expanded Uganics reach to the US and Canada and has hopes to make her product available worldwide.
