Cameroonian entrepreneur Jean Lobe Lobe has led his e-health startup, Waspito to raise $2.5-million seed extension from investors as it looks to fortify its growth trajectory and facilitate expansion within the Francophone region.
The latest $2.5-million seed extension includes contributions from notable investors such as DP World through Newtown Partners, Saviu Ventures, AAIC Investment, Axian Ventures, and CFAO’s Health54 — this funding round comes more than a year after it successfully secured a $2.7-million seed funding round from institutional investors.
Waspito’s funding success under Jean Lobe Lobe fuels Francophone expansion
The proceeds from its latest move will be directed towards expanding Waspito’s footprint in the Francophone region. Following its expansion into the Ivory Coast at the start of the year, Waspito is also piloting a hybrid model, with plans to extend its services to Senegal and Gabon.
Waspito‘s recently concluded seed extension — particularly noteworthy amid a decline in funding on the continent — brings its total funding raised to date to $5.45 million. This boost strengthens its financial position and underscores its attractiveness to investors, demonstrating resilience in a changing funding landscape.
Jean Lobe Lobe’s visionary leap in revolutionizing African healthcare through Waspito
Lobe founded the Cameroonian e-health startup in 2020 with the aim to connect the African health ecosystem and make health services and information available to as many people as possible across the continent.
The Waspito application, featuring teleconsultation services, enables users to remotely consult with doctors through video calls. This user-friendly platform allows Africans with internet access to seamlessly access quality health services and preventive healthcare information.
Lobe, reflecting on Waspito’s operations and expansion since its seed funding round in March 2022, emphasized strategic partnerships with hospitals.
“We have partnered with hospitals in a way that after consultation on Waspito, care continues in the nearest hospital without the need for additional consultation payments or registration,” he said. “We have connected with all these stakeholders because, overall, we want to connect the healthcare ecosystem online and be a one-stop shop for all healthcare services.”
Waspito, with 650,000 users in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, emerges as Africa’s top health startup
Under Lobe’s leadership Waspito — declared best health startup in Africa during this year’s VivaTech awards — claims to have so far reached 650,000 users in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, has on-boarded 950 doctors and facilitated 60,000 consultations.
With a reach of more than 650,000 users across Cameroon and Ivory Coast, Waspito has onboarded 950 doctors and facilitated over 60,000 consultations. At the recent VivaTech awards, Waspito — under Lobe’s leadership — claims recognition as the best health startup in Africa.
