Bloomberg Names Kenya’s Medbook a Top African Startup to Watch

Kenya’s Medbook has been named one of Bloomberg’s “25 African Startups to Watch in 2025,” spotlighting its growing role in reshaping healthcare delivery through artificial intelligence and localized digital tools.

Co-founded by Dr. Polly Okello, a pediatric nephrologist, alongside Chris Maranga and Sieka Gatabaki, Medbook offers a digital platform that enables hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies to manage patient records, book appointments, and track payments and insurance claims. Operating in five countries, the startup integrates language models to ensure patients can access health information in their preferred local languages.

“This moment celebrates the progress of AI and digital health across the continent and our mission to build healthcare systems that truly serve our people,” the company said in a statement following Bloomberg’s announcement.

Medbook’s inclusion in the Bloomberg list underscores its growing relevance in Africa’s health tech ecosystem, where AI-driven tools are increasingly used to address systemic gaps in patient care and data management. Its investor base includes ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), which has supported the company’s growth in regional markets, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which backs Medbook’s AI-powered healthcare work through its grant program.

“We are grateful to our investor ZEP-RE for believing in our vision, and to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for supporting our AI-powered healthcare work,” the founders stated.

In reflecting on the broader significance of Medbook’s recognition, the company emphasized the leadership of African startups in defining the continent’s digital future: “Our journey proves that African startups are not just riding the wave. We are shaping it.”