Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Des Erasmus
Published on 2024-02-25 14:00:00
Neo Hutiri, a technology entrepreneur, faced a major setback when he contracted tuberculosis after leaving his corporate job. However, this setback became the catalyst for his award-winning business in the health sector. His business, Pelebox, recently won the Royal Academy of Engineering’s special medal to mark 10 years of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Hutiri’s business concept was among 12 innovations from six countries that had participated in the program over the past decade. He also won the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa and traveled to Dublin to attend a mentoring and acceleration program before pitching his business concept to international investors.
Pelebox is a digital platform that manages internet-enabled smart lockers, allowing patients to quickly collect their repeat chronic medication instead of waiting in long queues at public clinics. The platform works like an ATM post office, where patients receive a one-time personal identification number via text message, enter it into the locker, and collect their medication.
The idea for Pelebox came to Hutiri after he experienced the frustration of waiting in long queues at a government clinic to collect his medication. This frustration led him to develop a solution that would streamline the collection process and save both patients and healthcare workers time.
Hutiri’s business journey started with a focus on solutions for courier companies, but his experience as a patient sparked his curiosity about how he could use technology to improve healthcare services. He pitched his locker concept to healthcare professionals and government officials, eventually launching the first pilot at a clinic in Mamelodi.
The success of the pilot led to the expansion of Pelebox lockers across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Botswana, and Namibia. Hutiri’s goal is to have 1,000 lockers across Southern Africa, reaching a million people with his innovative solution.
Hutiri believes that initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area will make it easier for businesses like his to expand internationally. He envisions breaking down barriers to scaling his innovation into neighboring countries and beyond, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of the continent.
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, which Hutiri won, provides support for entrepreneurs to reach international markets. This initiative aims to foster partnerships and collaboration between South African tech businesses and global networks, facilitating the growth of locally developed technologies and bolstering the economy.
In addition to Pelebox, other winners of the Irish challenge included entrepreneurs working on solutions related to sustainable development goals, climate, and medtech. These innovators are addressing important challenges and contributing to the re-industrialization of the South African economy.
Overall, Hutiri’s journey from a frustrated patient to an award-winning entrepreneur demonstrates the power of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving positive change in the healthcare sector. His success story serves as inspiration for other aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in their communities.
Read the original article on Mail & Guardian
