EXCLUSIVE: Avalon Health Co-Founder Ebrahim exits, starts new venture

Mohammed Ebrahim, a co-founder of Zimbabwean health-tech startup Avalon Health, has left the company he helped establish in 2022, citing disagreements over operational direction. Ebrahim is now launching a new enterprise, Access Health, aimed at innovating health financing across Africa.

“I have officially stepped away from Avalon Health,” Ebrahim exclusively told Condia in an email. 

“While I remain proud of what we built in the early stages, I ultimately felt the company’s internal governance and operational direction no longer aligned with the standards I hold myself to. I believe strong leadership requires transparency, accountability, and discipline — especially in healthcare.”

Avalon Health, which uses an AI-enabled platform to enhance productivity for doctors and clinics, currently serves over 7,000 patients through approximately 100 doctors, primarily in Harare with a smaller presence in Bulawayo, Mutare, and South Africa.

The company claimed its technology has helped reduce patient wait times and increased medical practice efficiency from 25% to 40%.

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Ebrahim’s departure marks a significant change for the three-year-old startup, where he was considered a key figure. His co-founder, Panashe Madzudzo, has not yet commented on Ebrahim’s exit. 

Access Health, Ebrahim’s new venture, will focus on reimagining health financing, a major challenge for many across the African continent. While specific details remain under wraps, Ebrahim indicated strong early interest.

“The interest we’re seeing — from major banks, insurers, and even unexpected sectors — has been overwhelming,” he said. “I’m excited for what’s ahead — and I suspect you’ll be hearing a lot more about it soon.”

Like many in Africa, the Zimbabwean healthcare sector faces challenges in accessibility and affordability. Startups like Avalon Health have aimed to address some of these issues through technological solutions. Ebrahim’s move to establish Access Health suggests a continued focus on tackling systemic healthcare challenges on the continent, with a particular emphasis on the financial barriers to access.