HewaTele Limited, a Kenyan medical oxygen producer, has secured US$10.5 million from AfricInvest’s Transform Health Fund to build a large-scale plant capable of producing oxygen at 99.6% purity.
- •Founded in 2014 by Dr. Bernard Olayo, HewaTele has been at the forefront of expanding access to affordable medical oxygen through on-site generation plants and distribution networks that supply hospitals and clinics.
- •The investment is part of a US$20 million funding package combining earlier debt and equity commitments from a syndicate of existing backers.
- •The company is headquartered in Nairobi and operates plants in Siaya, Kisumu, and Nakuru, supplying oxygen to hospitals in over ten counties directly and through distribution networks.
“Oxygen is a cornerstone of effective healthcare. HewaTele’s approach offers a transformative solution, strengthening health system resilience and expanding access to care for underserved communities,” Transform Health Fund stated.
HewaTele produces oxygen by separating nitrogen from air with naturally occurring salts. The importance of its work was underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic, when severe oxygen shortages crippled health systems across the region.
Oxygen is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an essential medical product, yet access remains uneven in many African countries. HewaTele has sought to fill this gap by building local production capacity and ensuring consistent supply.
Beyond infrastructure, the company invests in training healthcare workers on safe oxygen administration and cylinder handling to reduce patient risks and improve clinical outcomes.
The funds will be crucial for HewaTele’s expansion project backed by development financiers and foundations, including the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Finnfund, Grand Challenges Canada, the Soros Economic Development Fund, and UBS Optimus Foundation.
The facility aims to produce 20 tonnes of medical oxygen daily and supply more than 300 healthcare facilities across East Africa.
