Transforming Food Heritage into Healthcare: PushNcare’s Traction in African Markets

Cameroonian startup PushNcare is experiencing rapid growth with its “Nutrition OS” platform, which integrates traditional African food knowledge with modern healthcare interventions. Founded by Gilbert Mbeh in late 2023, the company addresses a critical gap in preventive care for diet-related illnesses that are increasingly prevalent across Africa.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mbeh witnessed firsthand how digital tools could rapidly connect people to vital health information while leading the Health Information Desk—one of Africa’s top health-tech solutions. This experience highlighted the need for proactive healthcare approaches before crises hit.

Addressing a Growing Crisis

Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension are now the fastest-growing cause of premature death in Africa, accounting for 37% of all deaths in 2019—a significant increase from 24% in 2000. The African region has the world’s highest rate of undiagnosed diabetes, compounded by limited healthcare resources and generic wellness apps that fail to account for cultural dietary nuances.

“When you tell a hypertensive executive in Lagos to eat oatmeal and kale while ignoring the nutritional reality of jollof or egusi on their plate, they simply won’t follow through,” explains Mbeh. “This leads to high abandonment rates in preventive programs.”

PushNcare’s Unique Approach

The company’s platform turns traditional African food heritage into medical-grade interventions—offering solutions that respect and incorporate local diets rather than fighting against them. Key features include:

  • AI-powered workforce health audits: For companies, these audits identify diet-related productivity losses and provide actionable recommendations at just $3 per employee.
  • Clinical meal planning tools: Registered dietitians can generate personalized plans in 90 seconds using PushNcare’s AI “exoskeleton,” which respects cultural food preferences.
  • Nutritional Knowledge Graph: A proprietary database containing information on over 60,000 African and diaspora foods—allowing for culturally precise interventions.

For example, PushNcare recognizes that mechanically pounding yam (a common practice in many West African cultures) actually spikes blood sugar similarly to processed sugar—information generic AI typically lacks.

Rapid Adoption Across the Continent

PushNcare’s organic growth has been remarkable:

  • Over 50,000 weekly searches on its public discovery engine (at zero customer acquisition cost)\n* A network of over 200 verified dietitians across 18 countries\n* Pilot programs with government municipalities and regional businesses

The company is currently operational in Cameroon and Nigeria, with expansion plans targeting Ghana, Rwanda, and South Africa. They’re also establishing a presence in Dublin, Ireland to reach the African diaspora market.

PushNcare operates on a multi-sided model where dietitians receive free digital clinic storefronts and can upgrade for additional features—earning PushNcare a 30% revenue share on premium leads. The company projects a $120,000 annual recurring revenue run rate for 2026 and is currently seeking investment to fuel its expansion.