In a continent where maximizing resources is essential for growth, transforming critical industries through technology is imperative. The yearly gatherings of the African Development Bank, scheduled for May 26-30, 2025, in Abidjan, will tackle this significant challenge within their overarching mission: “Enhancing Africa’s Capital to Boost Its Growth.”
The growth of African health care startups like Blink Pharma in Morocco demonstrates how innovation can maximize existing assets and enhance accessibility to medical services.
Digital Transformation for Patients and Pharmacists
Blink Pharma, the pioneering digital platform in Morocco, is transforming inventory management and transactions among pharmacists, wholesalers, and labs. Through centralized ordering, this Moroccan startup is enhancing the efficacy of the pharmaceutical supply chain, crucial for maintaining continuous healthcare services.
Established in 2020 in Casablanca by healthcare specialists Ali Sami and Adil Bertul, Blink Pharma leveraged the rapid shift towards digitalization amid the Covid-19 crisis. The company benefited from its founders’ deep understanding of the medical, scientific, and regulatory landscape.
Initially, Blink Pharma created free mobile applications for both Android and iOS platforms. These apps now link roughly 4000 out of about 10,000 pharmacies in the nation with over 40 distributors and nearly 20 pharmaceutical labs. This startup allows pharmacies to place orders directly through a data exchange system, thereby avoiding stockouts or delayed medicine deliveries by maintaining consistency within the supply chain.
The two founders initially feared that launch of their start-up in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic would be impossible. However, the opposite proved to be true: the lockdowns opened a window of opportunity. "The pandemic accelerated digitization by pharmacists, which would have taken six or seven more years if the emergency had not forced them to work remotely," explains Sami Ali, the CEO of Blink Pharma. A doctor by training, he worked for around 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry in various countries.
The startup is promoting digital transformation within the industry through the creation of 4.0 management software designed to oversee the daily operations and performance metrics of pharmacies while enhancing their predictive capabilities. Blink Pharma intends to motivate numerous pharmacists to adopt its latest system, offering both free access and a paid premium edition with additional features.
The company began with just four team members in 2020 and now counts 17 employees, primarily to aid its business expansion. In May 2022, Blink Pharma hit a crucial milestone by securing initial investment from the Azur Innovation Fund, which received backing from the African Development Bank. This public-private seed fund invests in Moroccan startups, offering them mentorship, coaching, technical help, and ongoing support alongside financial resources.
Blink Pharma aims to forge partnerships with funding bodies over the next few years, enhancing patient services as social security coverage grows within the Kingdom of Morocco. Its verification technology could ensure the legitimacy of transactions, thereby securing third-party payments. After solidifying its position in Morocco, the startup intends to expand internationally, targeting approximately 15 African nations such as Nigeria and Senegal.
With unwavering optimism, Ali Sami views Morocco as "a nation brimming with opportunities since much remains to be accomplished." He believes that the digitization of the pharmaceutical industry aligns with the country’s overarching journey toward progress.
At the core of Morocco's social and economic progress lies innovation, backed by the African Development Bank. This drive towards innovation not only fosters employment opportunities but also acts as a strong stimulant for young entrepreneurs.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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