Japanese investor sees opportunity in Africa's growing healthcare market
Japanese investment firm AAIC seeks to capitalise on the growing demand for medical services in Africa by backing healthcare startups.
Japanese investment firm AAIC seeks to capitalise on the growing demand for medical services in Africa by backing healthcare startups.
Japan’s healthcare system is widely recognised as one of the most advanced in the world, but this wasn’t always the case. In an effort to provide all citizens with sufficient healthcare and reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on individuals, the government introduced a universal health insurance scheme in 1961. This system led to a significant expansion of the medical services sector, and today, Japan’s healthcare sector is respected for its accessibility and high level of quality.
Susumu Tsubaki, CEO of AAIC Investment, expects that a trend directionally similar to Japan’s experience with the expansion of health insurance will occur in many African countries where insurance coverage is currently low but increasing. AAIC (short for Asia Africa Investment & Consulting), a Japanese company based in Singapore, manages two investment funds that back healthcare-related startups in Africa.
Tsubaki believes that the growth of health insurance in the continent will be advantageous for AAIC’s portfolio companies.
