Through an innovative platform, he aims to address critical needs and bring lasting change to people’s daily lives. His ambition: to harness the power of tech to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and inclusive across the continent.

Rwandan tech entrepreneur Biganza Papy is the founder of AfiaPharma, an e-commerce platform specializing in medicine distribution, with the goal of improving access to healthcare across Africa.

Launched in 2020, AfiaPharma facilitates access to quality medicines at affordable prices for African populations. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to offer a reminder system, helping users adhere to their treatments. It currently lists over 40,000 medical products.

The inspiration for AfiaPharma stemmed from a personal tragedy: the death of Papy's grandfather. "He died of an asthma attack because he couldn’t afford his medication and didn’t have easy access to a pharmacy in the city," Papy explained. "That’s what pushed me to create a digital platform that makes it possible to get medication anytime and anywhere."

AfiaPharma enhances the medicine search experience with automatic spelling correction, enabling users to quickly find needed products. Beyond sales, the platform provides confidential online consultations with partner pharmacists, particularly for sensitive issues like erectile dysfunction or performance problems.

The platform also offers a home delivery service, proving especially useful for individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges. AfiaPharma is certified and authorized by the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, the country’s pharmaceutical regulatory agency.

Biganza Papy holds a master’s degree in business management and administration from the University of Kigali, obtained in 2022.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji