Combining a professional qualification as a software engineer dedicated to digital transformation, with a passion for improving Senegal’s medical ecosystem, has finally led to recognition for visionary Senegalese entrepreneur Henri Ousmane Gueye on the global stage.
After entering the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition on two previous occasions without success, 2024 proved to be Henri’s year. He was named the grand prize winner of the 6th edition of the competition for the stellar work his company, Eyone (which means “Let’s go together”), is doing in ensuring that doctors and patients at Senegal’s healthcare facilities have access to comprehensive digital medical records.
Perseverance and dedication lead to success
It would have been easy for Henri to give up the first time he wasn’t shortlisted, but his belief in his company, coupled with a deep-rooted understanding of the need for its life-changing healthcare services, pushed him to persevere.
Driven by personal motivation —the loss of a family member in 2017 —Henri focused on using his digital and technology knowledge to ensure that reliable, electronic patient medical records are available at clinics and hospitals throughout Senegal. Less than a decade later, Eyone services more than 500 healthcare facilities in Senegal, giving communities access to approximately 30 specializations.
In line with Eyone’s vision to make medical data accessible to all healthcare professionals, its interconnected solution has enabled Senegal’s doctors and medical administrators to send their invoices remotely, manage their appointments online, and offer innovative services to their patients. The security and privacy of patients’ personal and medical data are ensured, and their records are instantly accessible.
In a country like Senegal, which faces health constraints such as shortages of medical personnel, rural communities far from healthcare facilities, and a traditional reliance on manual processes, Eyone is improving healthcare quality, streamlining administrative processes, and saving lives. Added to this were the initial challenges of establishing a successful startup in Africa, including funding constraints, technological barriers, and the daunting task of convincing institutions to embrace digital transformation.
With this in mind, it’s clear why Henri Ousmane Gueye became the deserving winner of the sixth annual Africa’s Business Heroes Prize competition.
A commitment to delivering life-altering solutions
At the ABH Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, Henri was up against nine other finalists from across the continent, vying for the top three spot. Reflecting the competition theme of “AI – African Innovation, Insight and Impact,” Henri’s story captivated the audience and the judges and, more importantly, demonstrated how Eyone is transforming Senegal’s healthcare landscape through digitization.
Henri highlighted the hard work that has gone into creating Eyone that meets specific healthcare challenges, and how proud he is of Eyone and his team. “It’s a significant milestone for us,” he said. “It serves as an encouragement for us to keep working towards solving the problem our innovation addresses. It motivates us to continue tackling the big challenges our country faces.”
This commitment to finding solutions to Africa’s pressing issues set Henri apart in this year’s competition. Undeterred by his previous failures to advance through the competition, he adapted his approach, refined his business model, and presented a technological innovation that is changing lives in Senegal and has the potential for expansion across Africa.
Henri’s determination, perseverance, and commitment to the African continent contributed to his success in the ABH Prize competition.
Having secured the grand prize, Henri became the first Francophone ABH winner—a testament to the program’s evolving reach and inclusivity across linguistic and geographic boundaries.
While officially launching the call for applications for the 7th edition, ABH Managing Director for Africa, Zahra Baitie-Boateng, emphasized the resilience needed to succeed in entrepreneurship, highlighting two standout examples from the 2024 competition.
“Henri won the grand prize on his third attempt, and Alexander Odhiambo from Kenya, our second runner-up, applied twice before reaching the top 10.” She added, “Their journeys are a powerful reminder that success at ABH isn’t just about taking home the prize. It’s about resilience — the courage to keep showing up, to learn, to grow, and to keep believing in your vision even when the odds are tough. That’s the true spirit of entrepreneurship, and exactly what ABH celebrates.”
ABH’s mission is to showcase and grow local talent creating positive impact in their communities and beyond, and inspire a movement of African entrepreneurship. Over ten years to 2030, the program will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide grant funding, training programs, and support for the broader African entrepreneurial ecosystem.
