Health Practice
Building stronger health innovation ecosystems.
From ecosystem design and evidence generation to implementation support and strategic coordination, we help partners move from fragmented initiatives to connected, sustainable impact.
Africa’s Health Sector
From innovation to impact.
Africa’s health sector is rich with innovation. Yet too many promising solutions struggle to move beyond pilot projects, fragmented programmes, and isolated interventions.
At RIIS, we work at the intersection of health systems, innovation, and implementation—helping partners strengthen the ecosystems that enable innovation to scale and create lasting impact.
Our approach combines strategy, research, innovation management, and data intelligence to strengthen coordination, improve decision-making, and accelerate system-wide transformation.
Our Capabilities
What we specialise in.
We specialise in helping governments, funders, healthcare organisations, and ecosystem leaders strengthen health systems through strategy, innovation management, data science, and research that drive evidence-based decision-making and sustainable impact.
Our work spans four interconnected areas of expertise:
Strategy
Supporting governments, funders, and ecosystem leaders to develop practical strategies, governance frameworks, and implementation roadmaps that strengthen health systems. Our focus areas include health ecosystem mapping, innovation strategy, governance design and systems transformation.
Innovation Management
Designing and managing programmes that connect innovators, healthcare providers, funders, policymakers, and communities. Our focus areas include ecosystem coordination and development of innovation programmes.
Data Science
Using data, geospatial intelligence, and analytics, we support evidence-based decision-making and improve system performance.
Research
Generating practical evidence that informs policy, strengthens ecosystems, and identifies opportunities for innovation and growth. Our focus areas include ecosystem diagnostics, health systems research, impact evaluation and qualitative research.
Social Innovation in the South African Health Ecosystem (SAHIER).
South Africa’s health innovation ecosystem is not underdeveloped. It’s under-coordinated.
A landmark review of the South African health innovation ecosystem, exploring the barriers, opportunities, and reforms required to unlock systemic impact and strengthen pathways to scale.
Developed in partnership with the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa, the study provides a practical roadmap for strengthening health innovation systems and improving pathways to scale.
Key Findings:
Institutional Strength
Strong institutions but fragmented ecosystems.
Funding Constraints
A persistent funding gap.
Scaling Challenges
Limited pathways for innovators to scale.
Innovation Potential
Significant opportunity for coordinated innovation.
Impact and Case Studies
Strengthening health systems through innovation.
Exploring the research, partnerships, and ecosystem initiatives helping shape more resilient and inclusive health systems across Africa.
Health Practice
Building systems that make innovation possible.
We believe sustainable health innovation requires more than great ideas. It requires strong institutions, coordinated ecosystems, accessible financing, effective partnerships, and evidence-based decision-making.
Our role is to help partners connect these elements into systems that are resilient, inclusive, and designed for long-term impact.
Because healthier futures are built through collaboration, not isolation.
Let’s Build Impact Together
Clarity where it matters. Action where it counts.
If you’re strengthening health systems, supporting innovation, or shaping the future of healthcare across Africa, we’re ready to work with you.
Mukhethwa Malindi
Analyst: Health
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Alexander Lugagne
Practice Lead: Health
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