From October 23 to 25, 2025, ten exceptional women from across Africa convened in Dakar, Senegal, for the African Women in Digital Health (AWiDH) Mentorship Bootcamp, inaugurating the second cohort of the AWiDH Mentorship Program (2025–2026). 

The Bootcamp united five mentors and five mentees, along with expert facilitators and guest speakers, in a dynamic space designed to strengthen women’s leadership in digital health and reduce the gender gap in Africa’s health technology landscape. 

Through interactive sessions, mentorship dialogues, and hands-on workshops, participants explored strategies for scaling digital solutions, navigating regulatory frameworks, and amplifying women’s voices in policy-making and product development. 

Empowering the Next Generation of Digital Health Leaders 

Across three intensive days, the Bootcamp fostered learning, collaboration, and empowerment, guided by the Africa CDC Digital Transformation Strategy (2023–2030). Key activities included: 

• Leadership and strategy workshops focused on navigating digital health ecosystems; 

• Sessions on product development, regulatory considerations, and market expansion; 

• Training in communication and visibility, equipping participants to share their work and advocate for impact; 

• Mentor–mentee meetings to co-create tailored mentorship roadmaps and align on strategic goals. 

By the close of the Bootcamp, mentees had strengthened both their leadership vision and technical skills, preparing them to drive meaningful change in their health systems. 

“The Bootcamp reminded me that innovation isn’t only about technology, it’s about leadership, creativity, and finding new ways to drive change. Small ideas, when nurtured, can lead to powerful transformation.” Aisha Abubakr, mentee. 

“The AWiDH Bootcamp was a truly enriching experience. Seeing how capable and driven the mentees are affirmed the program’s real impact, and I’m excited to keep contributing to its success.” Dr Elizabeth Wamicha, mentor. 

Meet the 2025 AWiDH Mentorship Pairs 

Each mentorship pair was thoughtfully matched prior to the Bootcamp, allowing participants to maximize their time in Dakar by defining personalized goals and pathways for scaling impact. 

• Aisha Abubakar Aliyu – Preparedness and Readiness Officer at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and her mentor Dr. Elizabeth Wamicha, a Digital Transformation and Information Systems expert (Kenya), are collaborating on leveraging data-driven innovation and digital preparedness to reinforce Africa’s health security. 

• Ahlam Saeed Ali – Health information systems specialist at Zanzibar Ministry of Health is mentored by Dr. Christie Akwaowo (Nigeria), Consultant Public Health Physician. Together, they will collaborate on strengthening digital health governance and enhancing the use of health information systems. 

• Rose Maéva Bilack Dongo – Digital engineering professional specializing in data analysis (Cameroon) and her mentor Dr. Gifty Sunkwa-Mills, Programs Director at PharmAccess (Ghana), work to leverage digital platforms for safer medicines and improved public health outcomes. 

• Dr. Viviane Oke – Medical Doctor & founder of ELLES App (Benin) and her mentor Dr. Fatou Wurie, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Youterus (Sierra Leone), focus on broadening access to women’s health services through inclusive digital solutions. 

• Dr. Wanjiru Kigathi – Health economist and digital health policy specialist (Kenya) and her mentor Yasa Chola Bwalya, Digital Health Specialist at Center for infectious disease research (Zambia), are advancing policy frameworks and promoting inclusive, data-informed health systems. 

• Worship Mahembe – Co-founder of ZimSmart Villages (Zimbabwe) and her mentor Dr. Precious Lunga, CEO and Co-Founder of Baobab Circle (Zimbabwe), aim to expand AI-powered health tools to underserved communities. 

These mentorship pairs showcase AWiDH’s collaborative approach, creating a continent-wide network of women leaders driving innovation in health. 

A Shared Commitment to Gender Equity in Digital Health 

The Bootcamp underscored AWiDH’s mission to dismantle barriers that limit women’s participation in digital health. By fostering mentorship, visibility, and leadership opportunities, AWiDH positions women not merely as participants, but as decision-makers shaping Africa’s health technology future. 

“Supporting women leaders is essential for equitable health systems. AWiDH equips women with the tools, networks, and confidence to lead Africa’s digital health transformation.” – Yaye Sophietou Diop, Director of Partnerships at Speak Up Africa.