A decision to make pharmacy software free instead of selling it became the turning point that transformed Nigerian health technology company WellaHealth from a struggling startup into a nationwide healthcare platform serving communities across the country.
Founded by medical doctor and entrepreneur Ikpeme Neto, WellaHealth initially found it difficult to grow beyond about 300 pharmacy customers. Rather than continue with a model that delivered slow growth, Neto redesigned the business by offering the software at no cost and introducing affordable malaria insurance through partner pharmacies, turning them into a nationwide distribution network. Brandspur Brand News reports that the strategy helped the company rapidly expand its reach across Nigeria.
Neto’s journey into entrepreneurship began after studying medicine at Trinity College Dublin and later practising in New Zealand. His experience of helping to coordinate his mother’s healthcare while she was in Nigeria exposed gaps in access to medical services and inspired him to build technology-driven healthcare solutions for the Nigerian market.
The road to success was far from straightforward. Several early ventures, including a doctor directory, a care coordination platform and a laboratory management system, failed to gain traction before WellaHealth identified a model that matched the needs of pharmacies and patients.
The breakthrough attracted international recognition and investor support. WellaHealth joined the Techstars accelerator in 2019 before securing funding from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund in 2022. A year later, Neto emerged as the grand prize winner of the African Business Heroes competition, earning a $300,000 award after competing against more than 27,000 entrepreneurs from across the continent.
Today, WellaHealth operates in all 36 states of Nigeria and has processed more than ₦1.4 billion in pharmacy benefits. Its embedded insurance products are also integrated into widely used digital platforms, including PalmPay, MTN and Airtel, extending access to affordable healthcare services for millions of Nigerians through channels they already use.
