SFH Launches CoElevate Fund To Boost Nigeria’s Health Innovation Ecosystem

According to Ireporter Online, the Society for Family Health (SFH), through its enterprise arm SFH Access, has launched the CoElevate Catalytic Fund, a strategic initiative designed to support health innovators across Nigeria. The unveiling in Lagos brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and partners focused on developing local solutions to the country’s health challenges.

Dennis Aizobu, Managing Director of SFH Access, explained that the fund seeks to tackle barriers that often hinder innovative ideas. “Many concepts in Nigeria do not fail due to lack of competence. They fail because innovators lack exposure, capital, and the systems that help ideas scale,” he said. CoElevate is designed to provide mentorship, funding, operational support, and platforms to help innovations grow.

The fund combines milestone-based grants, equity investments, and access to SFH’s technological and operational expertise. Aizobu emphasized the importance of local investment, noting that SFH Access will conduct two funding cycles annually to expand opportunities for innovators.

Ahmed Yakasai, Chair of the SFH Access Board, described the launch as “a landmark moment for equitable healthcare access,” highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and empowering young Nigerians to develop impactful solutions.

SFH Managing Director Dr. Omokhudu Idogho noted the technological and logistical infrastructure available to participating startups, including Microsoft Azure, AWS, APIs, digital tools, and one of Nigeria’s most extensive health sector logistics networks. Startups will also have access to SFH’s national supply-chain system, which features a pharmagrade warehouse, 22 satellite warehouses, and nationwide distribution links. “We want innovators to focus on science and product development while we provide the systems to scale their ideas,” he added.

Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, representing the Lagos State Ministry of Health, highlighted the fund’s significance, stressing that innovation is critical to advancing health systems. Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, SFH’s Deputy Managing Director, noted that CoElevate is particularly aimed at innovators whose concepts struggle due to lack of structure or guidance, providing them with tools to implement their ideas effectively.

The CoElevate Catalytic Fund offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, equity investments, mentorship, regulatory support, and a 24-month management program. It targets innovations in HealthTech, WASH, pharmaceutical R&D, and non-communicable disease solutions, with the overarching goal of transforming Nigerian health innovations into practical solutions for the nation’s healthcare challenges.