Six months after starting as an internship concept, ZisoCare has moved from an early-stage idea to the top of a continental startup competition. The Nigerian health-tech company was named Best African Startup at the 2026 African Startup Showcase, following a journey that has included the Hult Prize Nigeria Nationals and the iDICE Startup Bridge programme.
The recognition came during the Deep Learning Indaba, Africa’s largest annual conference focused on data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Held from August 2 to 7 at Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, Nigeria, this year’s event brought attention to the growing role of African innovation in shaping the continent’s technology future.
ZisoCare emerged at the top after more than 500 African startups were screened for the showcase. Only 10 ventures were selected to present their innovations, making the company’s achievement a significant milestone at an early stage of its development.
Using Technology to Improve Eye Care
At the centre of ZisoCare’s work is a healthcare problem that affects millions of people across Africa: limited access to timely and specialised eye care.
The company has developed a Vision Intelligence Platform designed to connect patients with certified eye-care specialists while supporting clinicians and hospitals with digital tools. Its closed-loop eye health infrastructure uses AI-powered retinal screening to help identify conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma at an earlier stage.
The platform is particularly aimed at addressing gaps in underserved communities, where shortages of ophthalmic specialists can make diagnosis and treatment difficult to access.
For patients, ZisoCare provides AI-powered pre-triage, access to verified eye doctors, virtual consultations and automated reminders and follow-up care. The aim is to ensure that care continues beyond a single appointment.
Eye specialists can use the platform to manage virtual and in-person bookings, maintain patient information and monitor care plans. Its Agentic AI is designed to support consistent follow-up based on the treatment plans set by specialists.
Hospitals, meanwhile, can use ZisoCare to strengthen patient record-keeping, understand patient demographics and performance data, improve retention and extend their reach to more patients.
The company’s long-term target is to reduce preventable blindness across Africa by 80% by 2050. Its model is built around supporting healthcare professionals rather than replacing them, with AI handling tasks that can improve efficiency while licensed specialists remain central to patient care.
From Internship Concept to Continental Recognition
ZisoCare was co-founded by Almustapha Damilola Usman, a data scientist and machine learning technologist, and Basirah Adejoke Musa, a public health and data analytics specialist.
The company began as an internship concept without formal funding or a structured business operation. Its participation in the iDICE Startup Bridge programme at Blue Sapphire Hub provided support that helped the founders develop the initial idea into a more structured venture.
Before its latest achievement, ZisoCare also reached the Top 8 at the Hult Prize Nigeria Nationals, giving the startup an early platform to test and develop its business model.
The company was formally incorporated as ZisoCare Technologies LTD by Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission on July 2, 2026.
Its Best African Startup award came as part of the 2026 African Startup Showcase at the Deep Learning Indaba, which was held under the theme “Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Path in a Frontier AI World.” The theme reflected growing discussions around Africa’s ability to develop and apply AI to its own economic and social challenges.
For ZisoCare, the recognition provides early validation for its approach to using AI in healthcare. More importantly, it places the company among a growing group of African startups attempting to build technology around real gaps in essential services.
ZisoCare is now focused on building what it describes as the infrastructure for African eye care, bringing patients, specialists and hospitals into one digital system. Its journey from an internship concept to continental recognition demonstrates how quickly a focused technology solution can develop when supported by innovation programmes, technical expertise and opportunities to compete on a wider African stage.
