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 from May 26th to 30th, 2025, in Abidjan, will tackle this significant challenge under their overarching mission: “Enhancing Africa’s Economy for Greater Continental Progress.”
The growth of African health care startups like Blink Pharma in Morocco illustrates how innovation can maximize existing resources 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 exchanges 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 Ali Sami and Adil Bertul, both specialists in the healthcare industry, Blink Pharma benefited from the rapid pace of digital transformation amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The company leveraged 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 facilitates direct order placement from pharmacies through a data exchange system, thereby averting medicine stockouts or shipping delays and maintaining an unbroken 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 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 startup has expanded from four team members in 2020 to 17 currently, primarily to aid its business growth. In May 2022, Blink Pharma hit a crucial milestone with its initial financing round led by Azur Innovation Fund, which received strong backing from the African Development Bank. This public-private seed fund invests not just financially but also offers mentorship, coaching, technical help, and continuous oversight for emerging companies in Morocco.
Blink Pharma aims to forge stronger connections with funding organizations 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, facilitating secured 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.
Determinedly positive, Ali Sami views Morocco as “a nation brimming with opportunities since many developments remain.” He believes that the digitization of the pharmaceutical industry aligns with the country’s overall journey toward progress.
At the core of Morocco’s social and economic progress lies innovation, which is backed by the African Development Bank. This innovation not only fosters employment but also acts as a strong stimulant for young entrepreneurs.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
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