Author: Emmanuel Oyelayo
A Story Across Africa
Picture a young mother living in a rural community in Africa. The nearest health centre is hours away. She is pregnant, but unsure when her next antenatal appointment is. She has heard about vaccines for her baby but is not certain which ones are needed or when to take the child for immunisation. The information she receives is inconsistent, and cultural beliefs often conflict with medical advice.
But what if a simple message on a smartphone could change this narrative? What if artificial intelligence could remind a mother about her child’s vaccination schedule in her native language? What if a clean birth kit costing less than the price of a meal could save a newborn from a deadly infection?
This is the story of “HelpMum Africa,” a Nigerian social enterprise that is using technology and grassroots innovation to rewrite the story of maternal and infant health across the continent.
The African Reality
According to a WHO AFRO report published in April 2025; each year, across sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 178,000 mothers and one million newborns die in the Africa region [1] (many from causes that are entirely preventable). Of the 260,000 maternal deaths recorded globally in 2023, 182,000 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for a staggering 70% of the world’s total [2]. Progress is evident, but the challenge remains stark: maternal mortality declined from 727 to 442 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2000 and 2023, a 40% decrease, however, this still leaves far too many women still at risk [1]. At the current reduction rate, the region is projected to have nearly 350 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, still five times higher than the SDG target of fewer than 70 [1].
It is against this backdrop that this month’s Innovation Corner spotlights an organisation called ‘HelpMum Africa’ that is rewriting the narrative.
The Birth of a Pan-African Solution
Founded in 2017 by Dr. Abiodun Adereni, a social entrepreneur and alumnus of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, HelpMum Africa was born from a mission to reduce maternal and infant mortality across the continent [3]. It began as a response to Nigeria’s crisis and has now evolved into a pan-African vision, with its Founder stating that the organization is now scaling its innovations to more states across Nigeria and expanding into other African countries [4].
HelpMum’s approach has been holistic thus far. It uses mobile technology (AI) and low-cost innovations to address deep gaps in healthcare delivery [5]. The organisation works directly with midwives and government agencies to establish local relationships that empowers caregivers at the grassroots level [5].
Innovations by Help Mum Africa That Are Reshaping African Healthcare
The Clean Birth Kit: A Low-Cost Lifesaver
In communities where hospitals and sterile delivery tools are often out of reach, HelpMum introduced the Clean Birth Kit, an affordable, sterilised package containing gloves, soap, blades, cord clamps, and other essential delivery tools [6]. It is distributed through traditional birth attendants including local health centres and partners such as Rotary International and the ACT Foundation
The Vaccination Tracker: Digital Immunisation Management
HelpMum’s Vaccination Tracker is a mobile and web application that allows parents and caregivers to monitor and manage their children’s vaccination schedules from birth to age five [7]. The tracker is set to provide timely reminders about upcoming vaccinations, helping parents plan ahead and reducing the risk of missed appointments. According to a tech blog called “TechCabal”, In August 2025, HelpMum officially handed over six digital vaccine solutions, including the Vaccination Tracker and Monitoring Dashboard, to Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) [7].
How Africans Can Benefit from HelpMum’s Innovations
MamaBot and VaxBot: Healthcare on WhatsApp
Recognising that WhatsApp is one of the most widely used communication platforms across Africa, HelpMum has developed two AI-powered chatbots:
- MamaBot AI is an open, AI-powered virtual assistant that supports mothers and expectant mothers with information on pregnancy and child health [8]. It provides weekly tips on nutrition, baby developmental milestones, safe exercise, and sends personalised antenatal appointment reminders [8].
- VaxBot helps mothers and caregivers manage their children’s immunisation effectively [9]. It creates personalised immunisation plans, provides reminders, addresses common myths about vaccines, and helps users find nearby health centres [9]. VaxBot had already engaged 170,000 unique users as stated by a news article in September 2025 [7]
Explore the HelpMum Website
Visit www.helpmum.org to learn more about HelpMum’s innovations, download the Vaccination Tracker, access health resources, and stay updated on the organisation’s latest developments
Crucially, HelpMum has developed an AI Translator Model that bridges communication gaps through two-way translation of vaccine content across major African languages [10]. This ensures that language is never a barrier to accessing life-saving health information.
Global Recognitions & Strategic Partnerships
Help Mum’s work has attracted significant attention and funding from some of the world’s most influential institutions:
- VaxSocial Initiative: In partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Meta, and MSD (Merck), HelpMum received funding as part of the $12 million VaxSocial Initiative, a global effort exploring the role of innovative social media, AI, and behavioural change interventions in building confidence around routine vaccination [7].
Meta Llama Impact Innovation Award: HelpMum was awarded the Llama Impact Innovation Award, securing $35,000 and ad credits to enhance its AI-based chatbot [11].
- Google Impact Challenge Africa: HelpMum was selected as one of the top 12 finalists from three thousand applications and named one of three jury winners [12].
- Africa Visionary Fund: In early 2024, HelpMum received a $225,000 grant from the Africa Visionary Fund [13].
- Amref Health Africa and Takeda Pharmaceutical: HelpMum won grant funding and a partnership with Amref Health Africa and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company [14].
- Patrick McGovern Foundation: HelpMum received a $250,000 grant to support the deployment of ADVISER [15].
A Call to Action for Africa
To truly harness the potential of innovations like HelpMum Africa and transform maternal and child health outcomes across the continent, African governments and leaders must begin to take decisive and coordinated action. This begins with a fundamental commitment to prioritising digital health infrastructure as a national imperative. Heads of state/Presidents must allocate substantial budgets to expand mobile network coverage and build interoperable health data systems including creating regulatory frameworks that encourage rather than stifle innovation.
However, the burden cannot rest solely on governments. African youths and citizens must rise to the occasion as active participants in this transformation. Young people, who make up over 60% of Africa’s population, must embrace technology and innovation, developing homegrown solutions to local challenges and holding their leaders accountable for health commitments. Citizens can begin by downloading and using tools like HelpMum’s Vaccination Tracker, engaging with MamaBot and VaxBot on WhatsApp, and sharing accurate health information within their communities. Families must prioritise vaccination and attend antenatal appointments to challenge harmful cultural practices that endanger mothers and children.
At Ducit Blue Solutions (DBS), as we continue to explore bold ideas leading to emerging solutions and transformative innovations, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing patient safety and strengthening health systems that delivers high-quality healthcare services for all. Innovation goes beyond new technologies or approaches but about creating sustainable impact that improves outcomes and builds resilient systems that place people at the centre of care.
The future of healthcare will be defined by the courage to innovate and the discipline to uphold quality with commitment to protect every patient.
Together, through collaboration and evidence-driven action, we can shape a healthier and more equitable future for our communities.
References
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. (2025). African region’s maternal and newborn mortality declining, but progress still slow. https://www.afro.who.int/pt/node/20981
- World Health Organization. (2023). Maternal mortality. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality
- TechCabal. (2022, September 9). HelpMum awarded $250,000 to deploy its AI vaccine intervention. https://techcabal.com/2022/09/09/helpmum-awarded-250000-to-deploy-its-ai-vaccine-intervention/
- Adereni, A. (2024, December). This year at HelpMum Africa clearly showed the power of staying committed to meaningful work [LinkedIn post]. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-abiodun-adereni-416a65112_this-year-at-helpmum-africa-clearly-showed-share-7411990906536357889-Mq9T/
- 3BL Media. (n.d.). Ashoka and Lenovo empower Nigerian social innovator to transform maternal and child healthcare. https://www.3blmedia.com/news/ashoka-and-lenovo-empower-nigerian-social-innovator-transform-maternal-and-child-healthcare
- Adeyemo, H., Li, J., Owusu, P. Y., Adekunte, P., Watanawigun, N., Yawson, C., & Shinwari, A. (n.d.). Smart care for mothers and babies in Africa. AIM2Flourish. https://aim2flourish.com/innovations/smart-care-for-mothers-and-babies-in-africa
- TechCabal. (2025, September 4). HelpMum transitions locally-built digital vaccine tools to Nigerian government. https://techcabal.com/2025/09/04/helpmum-hands-over-digital-vaccine-tools-to-nigerian-government-setting-stage-for-nationwide-rollout/
- HelpMum Africa. HelpMum MamabotAI documentation. https://helpmum.org/mamabotai-docs
- HelpMum Africa. HelpMum Healthcare Chatbot (Vaxbot). https://www.helpmum.org/vaxbot
- HelpMum Africa. (2024). HelpMum Translator eng to 9ja model documentation. https://helpmum.org/translateengtonaij
- Meta. (2024, September 24). Announcing the inaugural Llama Impact Grant and Llama Impact Innovation Award recipients. https://ai.meta.com/blog/llama-impact-grant-innovation-award-winners-2024/
- Vanguard. (2018, November 29). Winners of first Google Impact Challenge Africa announced. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/winners-of-first-google-impact-challenge-africa-announced/
- Crunchbase. (n.d.). HelpMum. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/helpmum/news_and_analysis
- Disrupt Africa. (2017, March 24). 3 African startups win Innovate for Life challenge. https://disruptafrica.com/2017/03/24/3-african-startups-win-innovate-for-life-challenge/
- Nairametrics. (2022, September 9). DEAL: HelpMum, Nigerian health-tech startup secures $250,000 grant. https://nairametrics.com/2022/09/09/deal-helpmum-nigerian-health-tech-startup-secures-250000-grant/