Why healthcare is the new currency of investment for Africa’s future – Menakaya

Chichi Menakaya is an award-winning UK-based Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Founder of Annomo Health. In this interview with IFEOMA OKEKE-KORIEOCHA, the medical expert opined that, health today is no longer just a service, emphasising that it is the ultimate currency of investment.

What inspired you to step into healthcare leadership and create Annomo Health?

It began with a personal journey — seeking the best care for a loved one in the UK, only to face mediocre service despite world-class resources. I saw how gaps in access, systems, and integration fail even the wealthiest. I knew Africa’s rising elite deserved better. That’s why I built Annomo Health: to create a seamless, global concierge platform where healthcare is no longer a struggle, but a privilege delivered with precision and care.

How do you define ‘health’ today — has that meaning evolved?

Absolutely. Health is no longer just the absence of disease. It’s about wellbeing, resilience, optimization, and longevity. People today want to thrive, not just survive. Whether it’s a CEO managing stress, a mother recovering after childbirth, or an athlete maximizing performance, health is the platform on which every other part of life is built.

Why do you think healthcare is becoming such a priority topic across Africa right now?

Because we’re at a turning point. Africa’s population is young, fast-growing, and increasingly urbanized and connected. There’s rising demand for better, faster, more personalized healthcare, especially among the continent’s high net worth individual’s (HNIs) and elite sectors. At the same time, there’s pressure on governments and systems to deliver at scale. This creates both a challenge and an opportunity: to build a health sector that is fit for the future and that’s why I believe healthcare is no longer just a service — it’s 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’s no longer just hospitals and doctors anymore. We need banks, fintech, insurers, real estate, hospitality, transport, energy, tech — and every citizen who drives a nation forward — all at the same table. The future of healthcare in Africa is about building ecosystems — where health services are seamlessly integrated into financial products, urban design, digital platforms, luxury experiences, and even travel. Think smart cities with embedded healthcare, financial products that package health access, and luxury hospitality that wraps in wellness. This is future-proof healthcare for the continent.

You mentioned High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs). What do you think they want from healthcare today?

We work with many HNIs from the USA, Middle East, and Europe who want more than survival — they want longevity, optimization, and peace of mind. They no longer settle for reactive care; they invest in proactive, precision-driven health, longevity medicine, wellness concierge, and cross-border access. It’s time African HNIs rethink their priorities. As global citizens, world-class, personalized, seamless healthcare — whether in Lagos, Dubai, London, or Accra — is no longer optional. Having insurance isn’t enough; you need the right health concierge to help you unlock its full power. At Annomo Health, we are building future-proof healthcare ecosystems: holistic, data-driven, lifestyle-integrated, and globally connected — designed for those who demand the best, anywhere in the world.

How can you describe the level of healthcare awareness in Africa?

The nations thriving in this century are those that recognize healthcare not as a budget drain, but as the engine driving economic resilience, innovation, and national prosperity. For Africa, the stakes are especially high. We boast the world’s youngest, fastest-growing populations, yet face some of the most fragile health systems. Our economies are ambitious, our entrepreneurs are world-class — but none of this can flourish without healthcare at the core. We must move beyond the old narrative of healthcare as a government burden or charity cause. Healthcare is infrastructure. It powers workforce productivity, financial stability, investor confidence, tourism, and supply chain resilience. It multiplies national power. But here’s the challenge: no single sector can deliver this future alone. Africa needs banks, fintech, real estate, hospitality, insurance, transport, and technology at the table — working together through blended finance, public-private partnerships, digital innovation, and cross-border collaboration to build the healthcare ecosystems African HNIs, investors, and citizens rightfully.

What’s holding Africa back from achieving this vision?

There’s a deep misunderstanding: many believe health only matters when they’re sick. Too often, people hide behind “I’m insured,” forgetting that while insurance is a must-have investment, it doesn’t actively make you healthier. I ask again: why wait to fall ill before you invest in your greatest asset — your wellbeing? You need more than insurance. You need a health concierge in addition to your insurance that goes beyond coverage, giving you access to cutting-edge care, proactive monitoring, early interventions, and strategies that help you live better and longer. At the same time, Africa’s healthcare landscape remains fragmented. Too many sectors operate in silos, and healthcare is still viewed as a government burden or donor project, not the shared national investment it must become. We urgently need blended financing, public-private partnerships, digital infrastructure, and global-local collaboration to unlock Africa’s full healthcare potential. And we must build trust, transparency, and world-class delivery standards to attract the investment that can transform lives. This is how we shift from survival care to future-proofed health — and from fragmented systems to a powerful, united ecosystem ready for Africa’s next chapter.

What role does technology play in this transformation?

Best-practice technology is the accelerator — but I say this cautiously. Yes, Africa’s surge in telemedicine apps is an exciting response to rising demand, but it urgently needs regulation to ensure healthcare is delivered by the most qualified professionals. Technology is how we unlock smart diagnostics, AI-driven care pathways, telehealth, digital insurance models, personalized longevity programs, and real-time health monitoring. But here’s the truth: tech is only as powerful as the ecosystem it plugs into. That’s why the real game-changer is cross-sector innovation — where tech, finance, infrastructure, and clinical care come together to transform healthcare into a seamless, future-proofed system.

If you could send one message to African CEOs and investors today, what would it be?

Stop thinking of healthcare as someone else’s problem. Your bottom line, your workforce, your family, your future — they all depend on a robust healthcare system. Whether you’re in banking, tech, hospitality, oil and gas or energy, you have a stake in building Africa’s next-generation health infrastructure. It’s time to collaborate, co-invest, and co-innovate — because the future belongs to economies that put health at the centre of their growth strategy. You need to be joining this conversation today.

What’s your ultimate vision for the future of healthcare in Africa?

I love Nigeria, and I love Africa. I admire how, when we choose to lead, we don’t just follow trends — we drive global movements. We throw the best parties, our music electrifies the world, and our success stories echo far and wide. But now, it’s time we ensure our healthcare doesn’t lag behind, threatening the very foundation of our existence. It’s time for an Africa where healthcare is no longer an afterthought or privilege, but a pillar of economic growth, innovation, and national identity. I envision a continent that leads the world in building integrated, cross-border health ecosystems — systems that serve not just the wealthy, but uplift the entire population. It’s an ambitious goal, yes — but with the African drive, right partnerships, vision, and determination, we can absolutely achieve it.