Africa Healthcare Network Secures Series A Funding to Expand Affordable Dialysis Services Across Sub-Saharan Africa

VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) has learned that on March 18, 2019, Africa Healthcare Network (AHN), a healthcare company headquartered in Port Louis, Mauritius, announced the completion of its Series A financing round. The specific transaction amount was not disclosed. Investors in this round included Asia Africa Investment & Consulting, a medical investment firm focused on Africa, as well as existing investor Polaris Partners, a leading global venture capital firm.

AHN operates a network of kidney care and dialysis centers in East Africa. Since entering the Kenyan market, the company plans to use these funds to continue its expansion into Tanzania, as well as into West and South Africa within the next two years.

Africa Healthcare Network (AHN), founded by Dr. Nikhil Pereira-Kamath, Dr. Lloyd Vincent, and Dr. Brian Pereira, operates dialysis services in government, private, and faith-based hospitals across East Africa, as well as independent dialysis centers in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

AHN has established the first dialysis chain in sub-Saharan Africa, delivering high-quality, life-saving dialysis services at an affordable cost. By combining world-class technical expertise with practical experience in developing countries, AHN brings much-needed relief to regions in urgent need of high-quality dialysis treatment.

Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Currently, the few hospitals offering dialysis services in Africa are experiencing slow operational progress while charging exorbitant fees. Meanwhile, sub-Saharan Africa lacks both trained professionals and capital investment to manage non-communicable diseases. The scarcity of dialysis centers in the region forces patients to bear prohibitively high medical costs. Those unable to afford treatment and travel expenses face certain death. Driven by strong epidemiological factors—including lifestyle-related diseases, other non-communicable diseases, HIV, other infections, and toxin exposure—the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in the region is on the rise.

AHN leverages its network of managers and partners to deliver high-quality care by providing cost-effective, high-quality equipment and training for healthcare professionals, thereby enhancing patient accessibility, achieving higher care quality at lower costs, while maintaining profitability.

Currently, Africa Healthcare Network (AHN) operates eight dialysis centers in Rwanda and Tanzania, with a presence in cities such as Kigali, Gisenyi, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha. The number of dialysis centers is projected to reach 15 by the end of 2019. The company plans to expand its operations to all first- and second-tier cities in Kenya and Tanzania, and to enter the West and South African markets.

To expand its market footprint, the company has entered into a PPP agreement with the Rwandan government, signed an MOU with the Tanzanian government, and established strategic partnerships with some of the largest hospital systems in East Africa.

Asia Africa Investment & Consulting (AAIC), established in 2013, focuses on investing in high-growth companies in the African healthcare sector. It currently manages a total of SGD 350,000 in assets.

Polaris Partners, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, boasts over two decades of history and experience collaborating with entrepreneurs and world-class innovators. This multi-billion-dollar venture capital firm primarily invests in outstanding healthcare and technology companies across all stages, from inception to profitable growth, while also maintaining investments in the digital media and enterprise software sectors. Polaris Partners maintains offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and San Francisco, California. The firm manages over $4 billion in assets and has invested in more than 250 companies.

(Compiled by Tan Xin)