Waspito has made history at LEAP 2026, becoming the first African startup to win the Grand LEAP Award and securing the competition’s $250,000 top prize. The achievement is a major recognition of African innovation and the growing ability of startups on the continent to build solutions with global relevance.
The Cameroonian health-tech company, led by founder and CEO Jean Lobe Lobe, won the award at the Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The annual competition offers a $1 million equity-free prize pool across seven categories that assess areas including scale, social impact and innovation.
A Milestone for African HealthTech
Waspito’s victory highlights the growing role of African technology companies in developing solutions to challenges that affect millions of people. Through its telemedicine platform, the company connects patients with doctors and healthcare services, helping improve access to medical care across African markets.
Founded in 2020, Waspito was inspired by Lobe’s personal experience after he lost his father to a heart attack in Kumba, Cameroon, where there was no nearby cardiologist. That experience led him to develop a platform aimed at making healthcare more affordable, accessible and easier to navigate.
“Waspito is a game changer in the healthcare industry. It has revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered in Africa,” Lobe said.
The company has since grown to more than one million users, served over 250,000 patients and built a network of more than 2,000 licensed doctors. It currently operates in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire while also providing telemedicine services internationally.
Building on Its Healthcare Impact
Waspito has continued to expand its services as it looks for new ways to improve healthcare access. In June, the company launched AHIM, an artificial intelligence-powered health assistant available through WhatsApp.
AHIM allows users to access health information, consult doctors, order laboratory tests and purchase health plans through simple conversations. Available in English and French and operating around the clock, the service extends Waspito’s efforts to bring healthcare closer to users regardless of where they are.
The Grand LEAP Award adds to Waspito’s growing record of international recognition. The company previously won first prize at VivaTech’s AfriTech competition, further highlighting its position as an emerging force in Africa’s digital health sector.
