Healthcare Is Infrastructure, Without It, Industries In Africa Remain Vulnerable
•Governments, systems face mounting pressure to deliver healthcare services on large scale
Dr. Chichi Menakaya is a distinguished Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon based in the UK, as well as the Founder of Annomo Health. In this interview, the medical expert expressed the view that health has transcended being merely a service, underscoring that it represents the most valuable form of investment.
What inspired you to step into healthcare leadership and create Annomo Health?
It all started with a personal quest — searching for the finest care for a cherished individual in the UK, only to encounter subpar service despite the availability of world-class resources. I witnessed how deficiencies in access, systems, and integration can let down even those with considerable wealth. I was convinced that Africa’s emerging elite warranted superior options. This conviction led me to establish Annomo Health: to develop a cohesive, global concierge platform where healthcare transforms from a challenge into a privilege, provided with accuracy and compassion.
How do you define “health” today — has that meaning evolved?
Certainly. Health is no longer merely the lack of illness. It encompasses wellbeing, resilience, optimization, and longevity. In today’s world, individuals aspire to flourish rather than merely exist. Whether it involves a CEO coping with stress, a mother healing post-childbirth, or an athlete enhancing performance, health serves as the foundation upon which every other aspect of life is established.
Why do you think healthcare is becoming such a priority topic across Africa right now?
We find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Africa boasts a youthful, rapidly expanding, and increasingly urbanized and interconnected population. There is a growing demand for improved, expedited, and more tailored healthcare services, particularly among the continent’s high net worth individuals (HNIs) and elite sectors. Concurrently, governments and systems face mounting pressure to deliver these services on a large scale. This scenario presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to develop a health sector that is prepared for the future. Consequently, I assert that healthcare has transcended its role as merely a service — it has become the new currency of investment for any serious economy.
Why do you say healthcare is the new currency of investment for serious African economies?
This is because in the 21st century, health drives wealth. You cannot build economic resilience, attract international investment, or develop sustainable industries without a healthy, productive population. We are in an era where healthcare is no longer just a moral imperative — it’s an economic engine. For Africa to leapfrog into the future, there must be cross-sector collaborations, governments, businesses, and investors must recognize that healthcare isn’t a sector; it’s infrastructure. Without it, every other industry is vulnerable.
What do you mean by cross-sector collaboration. And who exactly needs to come to the table?
It is no longer solely about hospitals and physicians. We require banks, fintech companies, insurance providers, real estate, hospitality, transportation, energy, technology — and every individual who propels a nation forward — all gathered at the same table. The future of healthcare in Africa revolves around the creation of ecosystems — where health services are effortlessly incorporated into financial products, urban planning, digital platforms, luxury experiences, and even travel. Envision smart cities with integrated healthcare, financial products that bundle health access, and luxury hospitality that encompasses wellness. This represents future-proof healthcare for the continent.
You mentioned High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs). What do you think they want from healthcare today?
We collaborate with numerous High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) from the United States, the Middle East, and Europe who aspire to achieve more than mere survival — they seek longevity, optimization, and peace of mind.
They have moved beyond accepting reactive care; instead, they are investing in proactive, precision-oriented health solutions, longevity medicine, wellness concierge services, and cross-border access. It is imperative for African HNWIs to reassess their priorities.
As global citizens, they require world-class, personalized, and seamless healthcare — whether in Lagos, Dubai, London, or Accra — which is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Merely having insurance is insufficient; it is essential to have the appropriate health concierge to help unlock its full potential.
At Annomo Health, we are developing future-proof healthcare ecosystems that are holistic, data-driven, lifestyle-integrated, and globally connected — tailored for those who demand the highest standards, no matter where they are in the world.
How can you describe the level of healthcare awareness in Africa?
The nations that are prospering in this century are those that view healthcare not merely as a financial burden, but as a vital engine that fuels economic resilience, innovation, and national prosperity. In Africa, the stakes are particularly significant. We possess the youngest and fastest-growing populations in the world, yet we contend with some of the most vulnerable health systems. Our economies are ambitious, and our entrepreneurs are of world-class caliber — however, none of this can thrive without placing healthcare at the center.
We must transcend the outdated narrative that frames healthcare as a governmental obligation or a charitable endeavor. Healthcare constitutes essential infrastructure. It enhances workforce productivity, ensures financial stability, boosts investor confidence, promotes tourism, and strengthens supply chain resilience. It amplifies national power.
Yet, the challenge remain: no single sector can achieve this future in isolation. Africa requires the collaboration of banks, fintech, real estate, hospitality, insurance, transport, and technology — all working in unison through blended finance, public-private partnerships, digital innovation, and cross-border collaboration to establish the healthcare ecosystems that African high-net-worth individuals, investors, and citizens rightfully deserve.
What’s holding Africa back from achieving this vision?
There exists a significant misconception: many individuals think that health is only important when they are unwell. Frequently, people rely on the notion of “I have insurance,” neglecting the fact that although insurance is an essential investment, it does not inherently enhance your health. I pose the question once more: why postpone taking action until you become ill before investing in your most valuable asset — your health? You require more than just insurance. It is imperative to have a health concierge alongside your insurance that transcends mere coverage, providing you with access to advanced care, proactive monitoring, early interventions, and strategies that enable you to lead a better and longer life. Concurrently, the healthcare landscape in Africa continues to be disjointed. Numerous sectors function in isolation, and healthcare is still perceived as a governmental obligation or a donor initiative, rather than the collective national investment it needs to be. There is an urgent necessity for blended financing, public-private partnerships, digital infrastructure, and collaboration between global and local entities to realize Africa’s complete healthcare potential. Furthermore, we must establish trust, transparency, and world-class delivery standards to draw in the investment that can change lives. This is the pathway to transition from survival care to sustainable health — and from disjointed systems to a robust, unified ecosystem prepared for Africa’s forthcoming chapter.
What role does technology play in this transformation?
Best-practice technology serves as the catalyst — though I express this with caution. Indeed, the rise of telemedicine applications in Africa is a thrilling response to increasing demand; however, it is imperative that regulation is established to guarantee that healthcare is provided by the most qualified professionals. Technology is the key to unlocking intelligent diagnostics, AI-driven care pathways, telehealth services, digital insurance frameworks, personalized longevity initiatives, and real-time health monitoring. Yet, the reality is that technology’s effectiveness is contingent upon the ecosystem it integrates with. This is why the true transformative factor is cross-sector innovation — where technology, finance, infrastructure, and clinical care converge to revolutionize healthcare into a cohesive, future-ready system.
If you could send one message to African CEOs and investors today, what would it be?
Cease regarding healthcare as an issue that does not concern you. Your financial performance, your employees, your family, and your future — all rely on a strong healthcare system. Regardless of whether you are in banking, technology, hospitality, oil and gas, or energy, you have a vested interest in developing Africa’s next-generation health infrastructure. It is time to work together, invest collaboratively, and innovate jointly — for the future is reserved for economies that prioritize health in their growth strategies. It is essential for you to engage in this discussion today.
What’s your ultimate vision for the future of healthcare in Africa?
I have a deep affection for Nigeria, as well as for Africa as a whole. I greatly respect how, when we take the initiative to lead, we do not merely follow trends — we actively shape global movements.
We host the most remarkable celebrations, our music resonates across the globe, and our success stories are heard far and wide. However, it is now imperative that we ensure our healthcare system does not fall behind, as this could jeopardize the very foundation of our existence. It is time for an Africa where healthcare is regarded not as an afterthought or a privilege, but as a fundamental pillar of economic growth, innovation, and national identity. I envision a continent that takes the lead in creating integrated, cross-border health ecosystems — systems that cater not only to the affluent but also uplift the entire populace. This is indeed an ambitious objective — yet with the African spirit, the right collaborations, a clear vision, and unwavering determination, we can undoubtedly realize it.
