African startups & medical sector opportunities: Malaria case

pic.1: who.int | pic.2: academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu | pic.3: malariamatters.org | pic.4: cdc.gov | pic.5: healthtap.com

By Ghislain Kezabahizi, Ottawa

pictures sources: many sources

Context: July 2013

Notes: republished from Afri-cultures with author autorization

Original Title: Moctar Démbélé and Gérard Niyondiko vs. the Mosquito

Actual Title: Name of the Redaction

If you were born in Africa or lived there for a while (or still live there), it is likely you have encountered the ‘King of African Cities’. It may not be apparent, but arguably one of the most powerful creatures in human history, particularly that of modern Africa is not usually thought of as much in everyday life. As a hint  to you what this ‘King’s’ identity: It is the size of an insect, has the most irritating noise, runs cities in the night time, lives in water, and has been wanted for decades and is still the most deadly animal in the African continent. We are, of course, talking of the Mosquito. This little creature – don’t be fooled by its size – uses biological warfare as a lethal weapon, delivering Malaria to its victims. Of course, the mosquito is not isolated to Africa. It is a ubiquitous part of Asian,  North and South American, and European summers, bringing nightly irritation to all, regardless of religion and skin colour, although there are significant reasons to name it the Infamous King of African Cities.


According to the World Malaria Report 2012, from WHO (World Health Organization), the African continent is the most affected with “ … about 90% rate of all malaria deaths occur there.” That number speaks for itself and is a staggering one. The numbers don’t get any better: 11% of the African population were protected by IRS (indoor residential spraying – easily the most effective method of preventing malaria) against malaria during 2011.


Sadly, the mosquito has taken control of many people’s lives, hence the title of ‘king’. While many cures for malaria exist and many systems have been implemented in order to forestall the disease, so far few of them have been successful at full-scale eradication of the malaria disease. It is known that mosquitos proliferate from standing water, particularly wastewater in unhealthy and poorly maintained places. While it is easy to condemn the African governments by venting some try to find a solution.


On April 2013, 2 African students decided to stand on a “Find-a-solution” team and have been awarded by the Global Social Venture Competition team for their work on Malaria prevention. The Global Social Venture Competition, according to their website, http://www.gsvc.org/about_gsvc/, “provides aspiring entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and $50,000 in prizes to transform their ideas into business that will have positive real world impact”. Founded by MBA students at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, they have provided a number of people with vital startup funds for successful business. Moctar Dembélé from Burkina Faso (22 years-old) and Gérard Niyondiko from Burundi (35 years-old) have a created an anti-mosquito and antibacterial soap to prevent malaria. Its ingredients are natural ones: Shea butter, lemongrass oil and a number of secret  ingredients . Their project is known as FASO SOAP, and promises to become a valuable weapon against Africa’s deadliest animal.


It will allow the majority of the African population (and the rest of the World) to have access to malaria prevention for a cheaper price than the current drugs and insecticides and on has the bonus  of being  a hygienic product. They are currently working on its optimization and marketing for release in 2015.


These two gentlemen are the perfect example of what we can accomplish with few and limited resources. They also teach us that real success impacts those around us, and not only ourselves. The teach not to pay attention to your limitations, but to always ask yourself: “What can I do to improve my environment?”. We all hope that Moctar and Gérard continue their creativity and good luck in your endeavours!

Gérard Niyondiko and Adelard Kakunze won, in Burundi the Tony Elumelu young entrepreneurs funds, in medical sector in October 2015

Akeza.net