In Africa, accessing quality healthcare is often difficult, not just because of medical shortages, but also because of financial and structural challenges faced by healthcare providers. Many facilities work informally, with weak governance, poor financial controls, and limited access to funding for growth.
The Health Enterprise Financing Program (HEFP) was created to help solve these problems.
Overview
The Health Enterprise Financing Program (HEFP) is a program that helps African healthcare businesses build capacity and reduce risks. Sndbx Capital and Open Phences developed it, and the first rollout was in partnership with Strathmore University Business School.
The first group included 25 owner-managers of Level 4 and 3b private hospitals in Kenya. The program aimed to turn small, informal health facilities into well-structured, investable businesses that can attract and manage funding while providing quality care.
From Pilot to Strategic Redirection
After the first group succeeded, the three partners changed HEFP into a program that could grow and work in both private and public healthcare, making it more commercially sustainable.
Instead of relying only on donors, HEFP chose a ‘trade-not-aid’ approach, mixing business practices with real social impact. The program brings together financiers, suppliers, insurers, and government to open up more investment in healthcare and build stronger health systems.
This change means HEFP is now more than just a training program; it also helps make financing possible within the healthcare system.
The Core Model
HEFP stands out for its combined, technology-driven approach. The program includes:
1. Business Health Check
A tool that checks how ready a business is, looking at its governance, finances, operations, and compliance.
2. Seven-Pillar Enterprise Development Program
A step-by-step program that helps with governance, financial management, operations, strategy, compliance, risk management, and leadership.
3. Investor & Credit Readiness Protocols
Hands-on steps to help healthcare businesses meet what lenders and investors are looking for.
4. Enterprise Support Ecosystem
Long-term support after funding, through a group called the Health Enterprise Support Ecosystem Village. This network of experts gives ongoing advice to lower the risk of failure and help businesses last.
The core of the program is the Path-to-Finance (P²F) platform, a tech tool that uses advanced analytics to help healthcare businesses and their funders manage and reduce risk. By mixing data insights with practical support, HEFP makes things more transparent, improves governance, and helps use capital more effectively.
Who Benefits
HEFP brings benefits to everyone involved in healthcare financing:
For Banks, Investors, Donors, Insurers, and Suppliers
- A pipeline of “fit-for-finance” healthcare enterprises
- Improved governance and accountability standards
- Reduced investment risk through independent technical support
- Stronger project monitoring and post-investment sustainability
For Healthcare Entrepreneurs
- Practical enterprise management skills
- Access to mentorship and expert advisory networks
- Structured growth pathways
- Improved ability to attract, deploy, and manage capital effectively
