When Irene Nwaukwa launched Infinity Health Africa, entrepreneurship was the last thing on her mind. Just a month prior, she was telling anyone who would listen that she had no intention of starting a business. But fate had other plans.
“I never planned to be an entrepreneur,” she admits. “One month before, I was still saying I wouldn’t go into business.”
Yet, spurred by the encouragement of colleagues and mentors, Nwaukwa took the plunge—setting out to improve access to innovative healthcare products and services across Africa. What began as an ambitious data initiative evolved into something far more essential: solving the regulatory headaches plaguing the continent’s healthcare and life sciences sectors.
A Career Rooted in Curiosity and Grit
Nwaukwa’s professional journey began with an internship at an oil and gas company, followed by an unexpected shift into pharmaceuticals. Lured by the promise of a company car, she accepted a lower-paying role as a medical representative—a decision that would define her career. Despite delayed pay and unmet expectations, she stayed, eventually working with top pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to Nigeria and later joined 54gene, where she confronted a persistent issue: the lack of representative data for Africans in global clinical trials.
“Doctors would ask how many Black participants were in a study. Most times, it was less than 10%, and usually African American,” she recalls.
This experience spotlighted the urgent need for better inclusion and regulatory clarity.
Turning Regulatory Chaos Into Opportunity
After 54gene closed, Nwaukwa ventured into consulting. Conversations with clients repeatedly circled back to one challenge: navigating opaque healthcare regulations. That feedback birthed Onboard, a regulatory compliance software platform that helps healthcare businesses tackle licensing, product registration, clinical trials, and more.
Onboard’s first product was a free, self-assessment tool—a three-minute readiness calculator modeled after requirements from agencies like NAFDAC. Depending on their score, businesses receive tailored next steps or an invitation to begin registration. The startup plans to integrate AI-powered enhancements into the tool to improve automation.
“Our goal is to simplify the complexity of complying with regulations by giving you a one-stop shop for your regulatory needs,” Nwaukwa says.
Since launching in April 2024, Onboard has supported:
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200+ product registrations
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3 manufacturing permits
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4 market entries into Nigeria
The Challenge of Building in a Complex Ecosystem
Building a regulatory startup hasn’t been without hurdles. Nwaukwa found that many potential customers didn’t initially value a tech-only product—forcing a pivot toward revenue-driven services.
Investor hesitation has also been a challenge due to Onboard’s deep involvement with regulators. To stay ahead, the startup proactively engages with regulators rather than waiting to be scrutinized.
“My sales background helps. I’ve been kicked out of offices, told no repeatedly. But you keep going. One day, you win.”
A Pan-African Vision Backed by Experience
Though new to regulation, Nwaukwa’s experience across every English- and Portuguese-speaking country in sub-Saharan Africa (except South Africa) gives her a competitive edge. Infinity Health Africa operates in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, with expansion plans in motion.
What sets Onboard apart is its tech-driven approach. Most competitors are independent consultants still using manual processes. Onboard aims to partner with these professionals, offering software tools to enhance efficiency—potentially by 2026.
Personal Drive, Global Ambitions
The mission is also personal. When her father needed a pacemaker, it was available in Kenya—but not in Nigeria, due to regulatory restrictions. That same manufacturer later reached out to Infinity Health Africa for help re-entering the Nigerian market.
The startup raised an angel round in 2024 and now plans a $1 million pre-seed round to scale its operations and accelerate its roadmap.
“Our goal is to own the ecosystem,” she says. “Ten, twenty years from now, if you want to enter any market in the world, you’ll pay me for something.”
Final Word: Resilience as a Strategy
For Nwaukwa, the key to entrepreneurship lies in resilience, purpose, and a problem worth solving. By combining her deep industry knowledge with a sharp understanding of regulatory pain points, she is building not just a company, but a new standard for healthcare compliance in Africa.
