Founder Story building the future of Africa’s startup ecosystem — one idea, one challenge, one breakthrough at a time.
Jennie Nwokoye, a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, focuses on transforming primary healthcare services in Africa through her startup, Clafiya, which she founded in 2021. Clafiya innovatively enhances access to high-quality and affordable primary healthcare directly via users’ cell phones, leveraging Google Maps Platform technology.
This service enables patients to quickly locate nearby healthcare providers and utilise either USSD codes or a web app to register and schedule consultations with nurses or community health workers, ensuring personalised diagnoses and treatment.
Founder’s Academic Background, Achievements and Recognitions
Clafiya’s Founder, Jennie Nwokoye has a robust educational background, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Florida (2012), a Master’s degree in Medical Science and Technology from Stevenson University (2015), and a PhD in Systems Engineering from George Washington University (2021). Her career began at Procter & Gamble in 2013, followed by positions at significant institutions like the US Department of Homeland Security and Amazon Web Services.
Jennie Nwokoye’s contributions to healthcare and entrepreneurship have garnered recognition, including the 2020 Legacy Lab Foundation Fellowship and being named in Forbes’ “Next 1000” list in 2021. Clafiya participated in the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program in 2022, reflecting Nwokoye’s commitment to improving healthcare services and supporting future entrepreneurs, as evidenced by her mentorship at the Washington-based incubator Halcyon.
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Personal Experiences Leading To Clafiya’s Conception
Nwokoye’s personal experience with the US healthcare system spurred her commitment to resolving inefficiencies in healthcare delivery, which she found mirrored issues in Nigeria, such as a lack of accessible information and fragmented processes. Nigeria’s primary healthcare system faces significant staffing challenges. According to a report by Nigeria Health Watch, only 24,000 doctors are available for a population of 200 million, well below the WHO’s recommended ratios. Clafiya addresses this gap by employing nurses to perform house calls, providing care within communities and fostering a familiar patient-care environment.
How Clafiya Works
Clafiya uses technology to enhance service delivery. It has an advanced matching algorithms powered by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Revenue streams for Clafiya include subscription plans for individuals and SMEs, partnerships with health maintenance organisations, hospitals, and schools to address the healthcare needs of children in Nigeria.
Clafiya’s functionality was illustrated through the case of a patient who needed home care due to illness, showcasing the platform’s ability to provide prompt diagnoses and medication through partner pharmacies. Clafiya strives to connect patients to pharmacies, hospitals, and various specialists, ensuring continuity of care in a fragmented system.
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Future Outlook for Clafiya
Nwokoye emphasised the importance of mentorship and connections gained from the Google for Startups program, which provided access to industry expertise and investment opportunities. Clafiya has also benefited from equity-free funding through the Black Founders Fund in Africa, which has enabled focused sessions on storytelling and brand building, reinforcing the company’s mission.
Looking forward, Clafiya aims to improve healthcare access for underserved populations and explore financing options to help patients manage healthcare costs. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted systemic healthcare deficiencies, fueling Clafiya’s vision to scale within Nigeria and across Africa and ultimately to provide affordable healthcare solutions globally.