Niger Medtech Startup Bets on Local Repairs to Compete
Likita Care has won an engineering prize for medical devices designed to be maintained and repaired locally.
A medical device startup based in Niger is challenging the dominance of large-scale manufacturers by focusing on local repairs to serve regional needs. Likita Care, founded by CEO Mamane Kabirou Ousseini, produces patient monitoring devices that track vital signs and use AI to detect trends. Ousseini identified the issue of failed imported devices due to lack of repair infrastructure and decided to build locally with a dedicated support system.
His approach, which includes using locally manufactured parts and imported raw materials with lower tariffs, gives Likita Care an edge over competitors. With a current production capacity of 150 units per month, Ousseini aims to expand into adjacent markets and leverage regulatory alignment in West and Central Africa. While challenges such as access to capital, unreliable infrastructure, and securing affordable internet and AI remain, the potential rewards are significant, particularly in a market of over 180 million people.
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