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The elixir for advancing diagnostic infrastructure in AfricaThe elixir for advancing diagnostic infrastructure in Africa
WHX Labs Lagos' speaker Nonye Umahi emphasises public-private partnerships as the golden ticket towards innovation in Africa.
4 Min Read
WHX Labs Lagos
In a quest to achieve resilient Healthcare Systems in Africa, the conversation around strengthening diagnostic infrastructure has never been more urgent. As the founder of Cuanu Consult Ltd, a Healthcare Consulting and Capacity Development Firm, and a proud representative of Nigeria at the World Trade Organization (WTO) during a landmark Trade and Public Health Workshop on Pandemic Preparedness, I can tell you firsthand of the transformational power of strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors.
At that WTO workshop, I presented a critical case study on Nigeria, highlighting a reality that resonates across most African countries: over 90 per cent of In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) used in Nigeria are imported. This heavy reliance is not only economically unsustainable but dangerously exposes us to global supply chain vulnerabilities — as the COVID-19 pandemic starkly reminded us.
To break this cycle, we must embrace an elixir that has proven successful across sectors and continents: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Diagnostics: the bedrock of healthcare
Diagnostics are the compass of healthcare, guiding treatment decisions, outbreak containment, and public health planning. Yet in many African nations, the diagnostic ecosystem remains fragmented — underfunded in the public sector and highly commercialised in the private sector, creating silos instead of synergies.
If Africa must shift from being a perennial "consumer" to a "producer" of diagnostic technologies, a new blueprint is needed: one where public policy, private innovation, indigenous technology, and workforce readiness converge.
The opportunity in public-private collaboration
The public sector holds the mandate to ensure access to quality healthcare for all citizens. The private sector, conversely, thrives on innovation, efficiency, and scalability. When these forces collaborate, magic happens.
Imagine a model where:
- Governments de-risk investments by offering incentives for local manufacturing of diagnostics.
- Private companies drive technological advancements and operational excellence.
- Academic and research institutions bridge the gap by supporting R&D for indigenous solutions.
During my panel session at the upcoming WHX Labs Lagos event, I will delve deeper into how African Countries can successfully use PPPs to transition from dependency to self-sufficiency in Healthcare Manufacturing.
The case for PPPs is not theoretical — it is survival. In the event of another pandemic, diagnostic sovereignty could mean the difference between life and death for millions.
Indigenous technology: the untapped goldmine
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Africa lacks the capacity for innovation. The reality is, we have the brains; we need to build the bridges.
Nigeria, for example, already boasts of Medical Laboratory Scientists and Biomedical Engineers who, through first-principle understanding of manufacturing, have designed prototypes of rapid diagnostic tests and quality reagents. However, without structured investment-readiness capacity building and market linkage support, these innovations remain trapped in labs and workshops.
This is why investment-readiness training — tailored to laboratory professionals — must become a priority. By equipping our scientists with business development skills, product commercialization knowledge, and regulatory literacy, we create a new generation of homegrown entrepreneurs who can scale diagnostics manufacturing sustainably.
At Cuanu Consult Ltd, we have pioneered programs that blend technical knowledge with enterprise development, and the results are compelling. Scientists do not only learn to innovate — they learn to scale.
Why CEOs, ministers, and health leaders must care
A strong diagnostic infrastructure delivers multi-dimensional benefits:
For CEOs and investors, it opens up a profitable, socially impactful frontier.
For Ministers of Health, it ensures stronger health security and reduces the economic haemorrhage of medical tourism.
For healthcare professionals, it improves patient outcomes through timely, accurate diagnoses.
But none of these outcomes will materialize in isolation. It is in our collective action — through structured PPP frameworks — that Africa’s diagnostic revolution will find its footing.
A call to action
The future of healthcare in Africa is not about aid; it is about partnerships, innovation, and indigenous leadership. We must move from dialogue to deployment — from aspirations to action.
As I share these insights at WHX Labs Lagos this June, I invite CEOs, Ministers, Investors, and Innovators to envision a new era where Africa doesn't just import solutions but exports excellence in diagnostics.
Let us make the invisible visible. Let us build diagnostic systems that are African-made, African-owned, and globally competitive.
I look forward to engaging with you during the WHX Labs event and beyond — to co-create the blueprint for Africa’s diagnostic sovereignty.
Together, we can be the architects of the future we seek.
Drawing from real-world case studies, indigenous innovation, and her expertise in Enterprise Development for Medical Laboratory Scientists, Nonye will challenge leaders to rethink Healthcare Investment and ignite a new era of diagnostic sovereignty. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with one of Africa’s foremost voices in healthcare business development and diagnostic infrastructure advancement. Register for WHX Labs Lagos today.
