Nigerian healthtech company Helium Health has secured a $2.5 million grant from Google.org to deploy AI tools to reduce maternal deaths and improve pregnancy care across Nigeria.
The funding will support the expansion of its HeliumMum initiative across Lagos, Delta, Kano and Oyo states, with Lagos serving as the primary launch location.
The platform uses AI-powered clinical tools to help healthcare workers identify pregnancy complications earlier, connect women to appropriate medical facilities, and improve clinical decision-making. It also supports electronic medical records for patient monitoring and provides governments with data to improve maternal health services.
Helium Health aims to reach 1.9 million women over three years and contribute to a 30% reduction in maternal mortality.
For Black founders, the grant gives the opportunities to build globally competitive AI businesses around challenges affecting communities. It also shows how African technology companies can secure international support to develop solutions.
