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Afreximbank, MobiHealth sign agreement to drive digital healthcare solutions across Africa
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and MobiHealthCare Limited (MobiHealth) have signed a project preparation facility agreement to bolster the expansion of Mobihealth’s telemedicine services in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued by Vincent Musumba, Media Relations Manager, African Export-Import Bank(Afreximbank) on Tuesday.
Musumba said the agreement would also assess the feasibility of establishing similar services in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Cote d’Ivoire.
He said under the terms of the agreement, Afreximbank would part-finance project preparatory activities that would leverage MobiHealth’s successfully integrated telemedicine proprietary platform, initially piloted in Nigeria, to the four additional countries.
“This initiative is expected to rapidly lead to the establishment of a network of telemedicine clinics across Africa, fully equipped with out-patient facilities.
“The project preparation facility of up to 1.5 million dollars is expected to advance the project to bankability, whereupon this is expected to unlock further investments estimated at 65 million dollars.
“The preparatory facility will expedite the deployment of digital healthcare solutions, enhancing access and efficiency, and quality healthcare”.
Musumba said MobiHealth’s platform utilises local and diaspora medical professionals who can diagnose and prescribe to patients remotely.
“This reduces waiting and travel times, provides new ways to serve a harder-to-reach population, and removes barriers for the underserved population.
“Additionally, Afreximbank will serve as the mandated lead arranger, overseeing senior debt syndication for the project implementation.”
He said the MobiHealth transaction originated from the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) platform under its flagship ‘Women as Investment Champions’ initiative, with Afreximbank as one of the founding partners of the AIF.
Musumba said the AIF had been instrumental in mobilising a 1.0 million dollar grant for MobiHealth from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
He quoted Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development Bank, Afreximbank.
“This initiative will fundamentally reshape the delivery of healthcare services with broader implications for healthcare services across the continent.
“ We will not only be embracing digital technology but also harnessing the same to help our member countries accelerate their progress towards the attainment of Universal Healthcare Coverage, and improve equitable access to quality, affordable healthcare.
“Afreximbank is pleased to join USTDA to support bankable studies and services to ensure the advancement of this impactful health project.”
Musumba quoted Dr Funmi Adewara, Chief Executive Officer and the project sponsor of MobiHealth, as saying :
“The signing of this facility agreement marks yet another significant milestone in MobiHealth’s quest to proffer digital healthcare solutions across the continent.
“ We are thrilled to have the support of Afreximbank, a pan-African multilateral financial institution with the scale and capacity to enable us to achieve this objective on time.
“Their involvement is a strong validation for our business model and I would like to laud Afreximbank, AIF, and USTDA for their visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to support the provision of quality healthcare to African citizens.”
Also, Mrs Chinelo Anohu, AIF’s Senior Director, was quoted as saying, “this is a ground-breaking achievement for a female-led startup given the challenges they are known to face especially when it comes to access to financing.
“ We are very excited to have supported Mobihealth on this funding with Afreximbank, one of AIF’s founding partners.
“Mobihealth’s innovative mobile health solutions is a game changer for a continent where so few are able to access healthcare.
“We will therefore make a huge difference in Nigeria and the wider African continent, particularly for the 70 per cent that live in rural areas and have little or no access to basic healthcare.” (NAN)
Senator David Jimkuta (APC), representing Taraba South Senatorial District at the National Assembly says 19 senators have been denied landing permit at the Kashimbilla airport in Taraba.
Jimkuta made the complain at his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, Taraba, where he donated assorted items to the constituents.
He explained that the 19 senators were selected by the Senate to accompany him and to witness his empowerment programme.
The senator lamented that he got the report that the Kashimbila air port was temporary shut down, after he had completed every procedure required to fly into the airport.
Jimkuta, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils, said that the visit would have allowed the know the needs of the state to be of support.
He said that the situation had prevented the senators from gracing the occasion.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their equipment.
Jimkuta also promised to support security with logistics to enhance security of lives and properties in the district.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their items but use them to better their lots.
Earlier, Chief David Kente, Chairman of the event, thanked the senator for the massive distribution of items to his constituents.
Kente, a philanthropist and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the empowerment as unpresidented in the history of the district.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that items distributed include cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, vulcanizing machines among others.
By Nathaniel Irobi
David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja.
Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, Parradang, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday.
Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post.
Parradang, who served in the NIS for over 30 years, held various positions across the country, including Comptroller General.
He served in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory. He also attended several professional courses both within Nigeria and internationally.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and was a distinguished graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Security agencies have reportedly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abduction and killing, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in their newly appointed Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.
In a press briefing held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of North-east CAN, affirmed that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the selection of Rev. Hayab and other Executive members.
Bishop Naga, who serves as the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), urged Christians, particularly those from the North, to continue praying for the peace, unity, and progress of a region beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further encouraged all Christians to extend their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the founding Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to express our unwavering support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes they must hold power indefinitely should recognise that the stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, including the General Secretary of national CAN, Northern CAN, and representatives from various states, have honoured the election. This election stands firm, and we remain loyal.”
“We want to convey to the world, particularly those of us in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn regarding Christian matters. We advocate for peace and acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN was established here, and we honour our father, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the first patron of CAN. This illustrates our kinship and commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
“Anyone seeking to disrupt this long-standing harmony is, in essence, an enemy of progress. In conclusion, I call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, who are fasting. Let us pray for peace in Nigeria and for the advancement of our beloved country, particularly in the North,” Bishop Naga concluded.