Public outrage and legal challenges, including from Oxfam, met the Trump administration’s immediate closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last year, which had been critical to global humanitarian and development assistance since 1961.

While these cuts represented less than one percent of the federal budget, they have potentially denied education to 23million children, depriving 95million people of basic healthcare, and causing over 3million preventable deaths annually, by dismantling programmes that provided lifesaving aid, food, clean water, and economic support worldwide.

There is also the loss to US companies of the less acknowledged ‘aid dividend’ – the commercial goodwill that often results from government altruism.

The withdrawal of traditional aid, such as from the US, is often framed as a risk. In practice, it may simply create a vacuum for others to fill. The hard currency from aid is helpful, but the underlying demand for better health does not vanish.

This is where Europe, with its historical ties, and China, with its aggressive, long-term strategy, are actively positioning themselves.

Chinese universities are educating Africa’s next generation of professionals, creating deep, lasting ties. For Western companies to cede this ground is not just a commercial mistake; it is a forfeiture of strategic influence in the continents of tomorrow.

The investment landscape for African MedTech, biotech, and pharma is maturing rapidly. The sector is now seen as a high-growth opportunity, defined by demographic inevitability, digital innovation, and a new generation of entrepreneurs who are creating profitable solutions to profound challenges.

Of all the territories of the world, Africa has arguably suffered most from the damaging power of cliché. Lack of knowledge and curiosity about the continent and its people, has contributed to the persistence of stereotypes that have encouraged racist profiling, facilitated exploitation of its people and resources and hampered economic growth.

For decades, the narrative surrounding Africa in the MedTech, biotech, and pharmaceutical sectors was dominated by a charitable, aid-based paradigm – a one-way flow of donated goods and paternalistic programmes.

For companies in the west, the only reason to invest in Africa was through mass vaccination programmes funded by governments and NCOs. But times they are a changing.

A new and more compelling story is emerging around the booming economies of Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria, and the continued emergence of an affluent ‘middle-class’ in these countries.

From my recent immersion in recruiting for the diagnostics space across sub-Saharan Africa, a clear perspective has crystallised: engaging with Africa is no longer an act of charity; it is a critical business and moral imperative for any company with ambitions for the future.

The catalyst for this shift is the confluence of three powerful forces, leapfrog technology adoption, the rise of a capable and dynamic local workforce, and the undeniable demographic and economic trajectory of the continent.

My conversations with professionals from Nairobi to Lagos have fundamentally altered my understanding of the opportunity.

The leapfrog effect

The core of the new opportunity lies in Africa’s ability to bypass legacy systems, particularly with AI in medical imaging.

In the West, the integration of AI into radiology is often seen as a disruptive threat to established professions and workflows.

The resistance is understandable; it’s about managing displacement within a complex, existing structure.

In Africa, the calculus is different because, until now, it has had no radiography function to speak of outside of major urban centres, at scale or relative to populations. This is the leapfrog effect in action as there is no entrenched, human-intensive system to disrupt.

Instead, AI-powered point-of-care diagnostics and imaging can be deployed from scratch, creating capability where little or none existed before. The result isn’t job losses, but rather a dramatic amplification of public health capacity.

A nurse with a robust, AI-enabled device can provide screening services that were previously the sole preserve of a specialist in a central hospital hundreds of miles away.

This mirrors the mobile banking revolution. Africa didn’t need to lay billions of miles of copper telephone lines; it went straight to cellular networks, unlocking financial inclusion at a staggering pace.

The same pattern is repeating in health tech. Companies that offer durable, affordable, and smart diagnostic solutions are not just selling a product; they are providing the foundational infrastructure for 21st-century healthcare.

The benefit is twofold: companies access a vast, growing market, while African nations achieve quantum leaps in health outcomes, turning the tide on maternal mortality, infectious diseases, and the rising burden of cancers.

Enthusiasm, expertise, and equity

Perhaps the most profound misconception we in the west held was about the African workforce, assuming that roles would be locally based, with salary structures significantly lower than in Europe. This is not necessarily the case.

As we have discovered, wages for people doing what we would regards as Western jobs for Western companies, are frequently the same as you’d find in Europe.

This isn’t exploitation, but rather a recognition of value. The individuals managing these complex markets, navigating health ministries, NGO partnerships, and local distributors, possess a rare and critical skillset, and they are imbued with a ‘can-do attitude’ more reminiscent of American commercial culture than European caution. They are highly educated, often globally, and incredibly responsive.

While researching candidates, our standard rule of thumb was upended. We researched 28 people for a position and came up with 12 shortlisted candidates in a short space of time.

As a guide, we would normally expect to engage with one in every ten people contact. The talent pool is not just deep, it is also engaged and entrepreneurial.

For many mature life sciences businesses in Europe, North America, South-east Asia and the Pacific, this has the potential to change their entire strategic equation.

Building a business in Africa is not about finding cheap labour, it’s about partnering with high-value, locally knowledgeable experts who are essential for market entry. The long-term implication is even more significant.

Beyond the anecdotes and rhetoric

As these professionals gain experience with global companies, a pipeline of future regional and global leaders is being created.

The question for multinational boardrooms should be ‘do we have African senior management on our global team?’ Failing to cultivate this talent is a strategic oversight, especially as these individuals understand growth markets in a way few others can.

The political rhetoric emanating from Donald Trump may dismiss Africa, but the commercial reality tells a starkly different story. One anecdote stood out – a diagnostic product generating $600,000 a year in gross sales in Eritrea, a country often depicted as isolated and impoverished. This is not anomalous, rather it signals a fundamental truth that need creates market demand, and where there is demand, funding follows, through governments, NGOs, and a burgeoning private healthcare sector.

The market is complex and fragmented, comprising more than 50 distinct healthcare systems, from NHS-style models to purely commercial ones. Success requires nuance and local partnership, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Corruption remains a concern, as it is in many emerging markets, but reputable global companies have strict compliance frameworks.

The real business is done by building relationships and demonstrating value, not by backhanders. As we surmised, for most people in Africa as elsewhere, ‘business is business’.

Ivor Campbell is chief executive of Snedden Campbell, a specialist recruitment consultant for the global medical technology industry.

This milestone is part of a broader national effort championed by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to enhance digital infrastructure on university campuses and drive inclusive innovation across Nigeria’s knowledge economy.

Speaking at the launch events, Temitope Osunrinde, chief marketing officer of Tizeti, described the initiative as “a bold step to democratize access to the tools that power learning, research, and innovation.”

Reflecting on his time as a student at the University of Lagos, he added:

“Twenty years ago, internet access was a distant luxury. Today, we are delivering what we once dreamed of — right to the doorstep of students.”

Students at the launch experienced internet speeds ranging between 50 Mbps and 200 Mbps, enabling seamless access to digital learning resources, online collaboration, and global innovation ecosystems.

The Fiber-to-Hostel initiative is built on strong public-private partnerships between operators like Tizeti, universities and national agencies such as Galaxy Backbone and the Nigeria Broadband Alliance Network.

The effort aligns with the global Triple Helix model — fostering collaboration between government, academia, and industry to drive research, digital inclusion, and innovation.

Stressing on the Fibre-to-Hostel, Kendall Ananyi, CEO of Tizeti, said that connectivity should no longer be a luxury.

“The internet is the fuel of innovation, the foundation of research, and the bridge to global opportunity. With reliable, high-speed internet by Tizeti, Galaxy Backbone and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, students now have the digital foundation to work smarter, create fearlessly, and innovate without limits. We’re not just connecting campuses — we’re unlocking the next generation of African changemakers,” he said.

Among the dignitaries present at the launch were Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, minister of Education; Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos; Prof. Patricia Monko Lar, Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja; and Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone.

They commended the initiative’s transformative potential to empower students with real-time access to information, global research collaboration, and digital tools for academic and entrepreneurial success.

Tizeti has a proven track record of bridging Nigeria’s digital divide — from connecting over 2.5 million Nigerians through Facebook’s Express WiFi to broadband deployments in underserved communities in partnership with Microsoft and USAID.

Tizeti recently introduced its fiber broadband service offering hyper-mega speeds of up to 1 Gbps, providing its fastest and most reliable internet performance to date.

According to Ananyi,

“This initiative is more than just fast internet. It’s about empowering communities, fostering innovation, and enabling people to thrive in a digitally connected world. Our free fiber service will revolutionize how people, homes, and businesses in West Africa access the internet — creating new opportunities for education, communication, and commerce.”

“The lies by Tigran Gambarya against Malam Nuhu Ribadu and the Office of the National Security Adviser are a deliberate distraction designed to deflect attention from the terror funding scandal involving USAID”, Mr. Omokri said.

Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, had accused Nigerian government officials of demanding a staggering $150 million bribe from him while in detention.

His detention was in connection to what the government described as “criminal manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer platforms like Binance”, but investigators were allegedly frustrated by the tactics deployed by Mr. Gambaryan and his team.

The head of financial crime of crypto firm Binance, who was detained in Nigeria for eight months, was discharged by a Federal High Court in October 2024 “on humanitarian grounds and following a high-level diplomatic intervention that ended with tangible benefits for Nigeria”, according to Mohammed Idris, the minister of Information and National Orientation.

Nigerian government has also come out to deny the allegations leveled against its officials.

Aligning with President Tinubu’s government response, Reno Omokri said the “lies by Tigran Gambarya against Malam Nuhu Ribadu and the Office of the National Security Adviser are a deliberate distraction designed to deflect attention from the terror funding scandal involving USAID”.

“Discerning Nigerians may have noticed that Mr. Gambarya made his wild allegations precisely an hour after Republican U.S. Congressman Scott Perry revealed that certain U.S. high officials had been funding Boko Haram. Exactly an hour after Congressman Perry unveiled those revelations, Mr. Tigran Gambarya suddenly posted his false allegations on X.

“This is a man who has been roaming free in the United States for weeks. Why now?

“Nigerians should note that Mr. Tigran Gambarya is a functionary of certain agencies who were involved in acts of economic sabotage against Nigeria, which included providing a platform for siphoning $25 billion out of Nigeria annually.

“Nigerians may also recall that after Binance was delisted by the government and ceased operating in Nigeria, the Naira rose sharply, appreciating by 36.4% in one day. This caused President Tinubu to issue a statement on video praising the “seismic shift” of our currency, which had gone from ₦1598 to $1 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to ₦1,382 to $1 the following day, Friday, March 22, 2024.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that Mr. Tigran Gambarya, who was a former agent, would now come out to make his fallacious claims just as it was revealed that some interests were funding terror in Nigeria through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which Congressman Perry says was making multimillion Dollar annual payments to Boko Haram at a time when the Obama and Biden regimes were refusing to sell weapons to Nigeria.

“This is a typical distraction strategy, and Nigeria should not fall for it. The swamp is desperate and, therefore, clutching at straws.

“Malam Nubu Ribadu is an incorruptible leader who, as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, refused a $15 million cash bribe in 2006 and instead deposited the funds at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Tigran Gambarya is an allegedly corrupt economic saboteur who worked against Nigeria’s economic interests for people who Congressman Perry has now exposed as funders of terror”, Reno Omokri posted on his verified X handle.

The announcement by i3, Techeconomy gathered, was in response to the U.S. State Department’s (USAID) “stop-work” directive for foreign aid issued on January 25th, which is anticipated to impact the distribution of essential medicine in Africa’s healthcare supply chains.

The order highlights and intensifies the need for locally-driven, market-creating approaches to health product distribution and service delivery across Africa.

Funded by the Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora, Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics (a subsidiary of the Kühne Foundation), Sanofi’s Global Health Unit and Chemonics, the i3 program will concentrate its immediate efforts to help innovative growth-stage startups unlock major partnerships to rapidly expand access to patient care.

The selected start-ups will also receive up to $225K in grant funds. i3 aims to expand support to early-stage companies at a later date.

Applications for the 3rd cohort are open until February 28th.

Apply here.

The selected startups will be announced on April 30th. A virtual Q&A session will be hosted by i3 on February 21st to answer any questions regarding the application process.

i3 is coordinated by Salient Advisory and Solina Center for International Development and Research (SCIDaR).

Under the terms of the agreement, USAID and the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will collaborate with FCMB to facilitate $10 million in new loans.

The new partnership will assist FCMB to expand access to finance for underserved borrowers, underserved borrowers and MSMEs in the health sector in Nigeria, the health sector, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Nigeria.

“I commend the DFC for its commitment to improving local access to quality healthcare. This partnership will help close the gap in healthcare financing. This means more Nigerians will have access to better healthcare facilities. First City Monument Bank welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with healthcare providers and SMEs nationwide to build a healthier, more productive future for our nation,” said Mrs Yemisi Edun, FCMB managing director.

“As demonstrated by this partnership, the United States government is eager to continue collaborating with the financial sector to improve access to credit for underserved borrowers, including micro and small and medium enterprises, in the health sector., and thereby stimulate economic growth,” said Mission Director Melissa Jones. “In addition to supporting FCMB’s increased lending in the health sector, we are committed to work with FCMB to disburse loans to the agriculture and renewable energy sectors through our existing partnerships.”

This partnership is intended to boost the following key areas:

• Loans in the Healthcare Sector: Loans will be used to support businesses in the following areas: hospitals, health centres, clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, maternal health facilities, procurement of medical equipment, construction and renovation of health facilities.
• Loans to SMEs: The bank’s focus will include financial support for working capital, equipment procurement, construction, and restructuring of commercial properties for  small and medium sized enterprises.

For more information contact the Development Outreach and Communications Team at Abujadoc@usaid.gov

Kashifu Inuwa, the director general made this known while receiving representatives from USAID led by Josh Woodard, senior digital advisor, Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, at the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The purpose of the visit was to have a rapid landscape assessment of digital agriculture in Nigeria and partner with NITDA.

Inuwa said, “One of President Tinubu’s areas of focus is boosting agriculture to achieve food security, and at NITDA we were set up to develop the National IT Policy, and IT policy is not just about developing IT but developing IT to boost productivity across all critical sectors including agriculture.”

“That is why we do a lot of initiatives in trying to see how we can build an agriculture Strategy with IT in mind and make it a more attractive business to the younger generation,” he added.

Inuwa stated that NITDA has identified six emerging technologies, that will aid in achieving food security in Nigeria.

He said “We have an  Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy co-creation workshop going on, which started on Monday, where we are working with the ecosystem to develop a strategy on how to use AI in agriculture, health, education, and so on.

“We are working on how to use the Internet of Things, (IoT) in agriculture for crop monitoring, soil monitoring, precision irrigation, climate monitoring livestock monitoring, and so on.”

“We are working using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, (UAVs) to facilitate pest detection, water control, yield assessment, and so on.”

We are working on using Blockchain for the traceability of farm produce from farm to store, record keeping, quality assurance, and so on.”

“We are working on using Robotics to enhance productivity in agriculture in terms of automation of physical farm processing like weeding, harvesting, tractors, and many more.”

“For additive manufacturing, we are working on using it to upscale our manufacturing industry in the Agricultural sector for the production of crop and soil monitoring devices, customised equipment, and many more.”

Speaking on NITDA’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria develops its digital offering in-country, Inuwa noted that the Nigeria Startup Portal was launched during the week with over 12,000 startups registered so far. He said they would be labelled after which they could have access to incentives.

Earlier Josh Woodard, USAID said that the meeting was to enable USAID to have first-hand information on what Nigeria is doing in digital farming to see how to enhance the integration of digital technology in agriculture.

He revealed that USAID recently launched the Global Food Security Strategy for Nigeria (2024 -2029) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

He said, “We want to work with all stakeholders to ensure food security in Nigeria.”

The meeting discussed the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) in relation to the success stories the initiative has recorded, the expansion strategy it is adopting and call on the USAID to be part of the initiatives.

The report projects that the region will experience unprecedented change in temperatures and rainfall in the next 10 to 20 years.

Already, West Africa experiencing an alarming rise in temperatures, with some areas recording highs of 42-43 degrees Celsius.

This surge in temperature is accompanied by prolonged droughts which for example pose significant challenges to those countries that rely on hydropower generation as part of their energy posture.

Unfortunately, this vulnerability extends beyond power generation, many Western African countries’ power infrastructures simply don’t have the resilience against extreme weather conditions such as storms, already grappling with aged and compromised infrastructure.

During rainy seasons, Nigeria often (pre-emptively) shuts down its grid operations to prevent any additional damage to its already fragile infrastructure.  Again, this re-emphasises the urgent need for infrastructural development in the region.

Addressing climate change with renewable energy

The good news is West Africa is proactively responding to climate challenges by implementing renewable energy solutions.

Investments in renewable energy are gaining momentum, supported by substantial funding.

USAID, for example, is supporting the third cycle of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) EREF (ECOWAS Renewable Energy Fund) programme, which was launched in 2019 and is currently being implemented in six West African countries.

The programme catalyses investment in energy by facilitating access to finance for renewable energy projects, with a specific focus on clean energy mini grids (CEMGs).

This surge in investment aligns with the region’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint and promoting climate sustainability.

The continued integration of wind and solar energy also serves a stabilising force, particularly in times when hydropower generation is compromised by fluctuating and extreme weather patterns.

Gas engines and turbines are also seeing increased uptake, providing consistent energy supply during rainy season which impact solar supply.

Emerging role players

There is growing interest in green hydrogen as a potential solution. While not yet widely adopted, the exploration of green hydrogen technologies demonstrates a commitment to innovative solutions aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

As a global energy management company, Schneider Electric is also assisting the region in its strides to establish a sustainable more resilient energy infrastructure.

For one, our goal is to ensure that energy capacity is optimally utilised, from generation to distribution to end user.

This includes providing intelligent monitoring solutions that contribute toward efficient power management and distribution, ultimately leading to cost savings as well as increased investor confidence.

Whist West Africa still has numerous obstacles to overcome, it is undoubtedly encouraging to experience the region’s commitment to sustainability which speaks volumes of its resilience and the proactive steps it is taking to striking a balance between climate change and stable energy provision.

Access to a stable and sustainable energy supply is critical for the long-term, sustainable development of more than 15 million residents of Lagos State. As the most populous in Nigeria, Lagos State has a predicted increase in peak electricity demand by as much as 400 percent by 2040.  

The Integrated Resource Plan serves as a roadmap and blueprint to improve sector planning and coordination while providing guidance on Lagos State energy development requirements to stakeholders, including federal and state agencies, regulators, power generators, electricity transmitters and distributors, investors, and consumers. 

The Integrated Resource Plan will improve sector planning and coordination to provide stable and sustainable energy to all citizens and businesses. The Plan will outline resource development plans for the next 20 years to meet the long-term electricity needs of the State’s residents, businesses, industries, and public/government premises such as hospitals and health clinics.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Program, in partnership with the Government of Lagos State developed the plan. 

“The U.S. government is committed to expanding and supporting the modernization of Lagos’s energy sector, building a foundation for broad and inclusive economic and social development. This Integrated Resource Plan is a concrete testament to the partnership between the United States and Lagos State as we both work together to create a sustainable and equitable future,” explained U.S. Consul General to Lagos, Will Stevens. 

The U.S. government, USAID and Power Africa will continue to collaborate with Lagos State to implement the plan to further support power sector planning and coordination and provide guidance to stakeholders on Lagos State power system development requirements.

The bank believes the initiative is one that would ultimately drive economic growth in Nigeria and equip young adults with life-long skills.

The Youth-Powered initiative will empower participants to broaden their outlook on their future plans providing them access to skills, social capital, and resources needed to realise their aspirations through training and mentorship.

The mentorship program aims to improve the health and well-being of urban, low-income adolescents, between the ages of 15 and 19, by increasing voluntary family planning uptake, situating family planning holistically such that it encompasses: enhancing youths with life skills for healthy living and future planning; fostering an enabling social and policy environment for adolescent health and development; and increasing youth workforce readiness, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship to address socioeconomic determinants of adolescent health.

In line with the bank’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability efforts, the firm continues to seek opportunities to give back to our community and the USAID Youth-Powered Ecosystem program presents the platform to achieve this goal.

The organisation is thrilled with this partnership as it is targeted at young adults with the aim of ensuring that they are not only equipped with a skill but are also inspired to prepare for their future.

A representative from DAI stated that “At DAI we are pleased to collaborate with a reputable organisation like FBNQuest to provide hope for the future of out-of-school adolescents that USAID through the Youth-Powered Ecosystem to Advance Urban Adolescent Health Project is programming for, especially through its livelihood trainings and empowerment.

FBNQuest’s contribution to the skill acquisition training of a few young ones will see many of them take charge of their lives by improving their ability to earn a living. We look forward to such commitments from FBNQuest and other reputable companies so that many more adolescents would benefit; and thereby improve their immediate well-being and achieve their long-term goals”.

Commenting on the partnership, Kayode Akinkugbe, Managing Director/CEO, FBNQuest Merchant Bank stated “We are pleased to have partnered with USAID on this laudable initiative that will promote and drive knowledge and skill development. We recognise programs such as these plays a vital role as a catalyst for growth, and we remain committed to equipping our youth with the relevant skills needed to excel.

“We will continue to work with reputable institutions to implement initiatives that will provide access and more opportunities for young leaders to contribute directly to building the Nigerian economy,” he added.

FBNQuest Merchant Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering people empowerment and financial literacy programs, through various partnerships such as its collaboration with EnterpriseNGR on their Youth of Enterprise (YOE) Initiative and Teach for Nigeria, a non-profit organization committed to developing leaders and promoting educational development across the nation.