Smart Applications Unveils ‘Smart Elevate’ Mentorship Program to Drive African HealthTech Talent

PHOTO: Dr. Francis Thiongo, Chairman School of Computing and Information Technology JKUAT (L) receiving a token of appreciation from Isaiah Mosiori, CEO Smart Applications International, Kenya (R) during the official launch of Smart Elevate Mentorship Programme at JKUAT Main Campus, Juja.

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 17 – In a major move to bolster Africa’s rapidly evolving digital health landscape, healthcare technology giant Smart Applications International on 15 July 2026 officially launched its Smart Elevate Student Mentorship Program at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).​

Hosted during the Smart Career Fair, the event brought together students from various schools within the university to explore emerging career pathways, connect with industry leaders, and acquire the essential skills needed to thrive in Africa’s booming healthcare technology sector.

As healthcare systems across the African continent undergo rapid digital transformation, there is an increasingly urgent demand for graduates who possess not only academic knowledge but also hands-on, practical experience in health technology.

The Smart Elevate Student Mentorship Program was specifically designed to address this industry gap, offering students a structured, hands-on pipeline from school straight into the professional sphere.

Isaiah Mosiori, CEO, Smart Applications International, Kenya said across Africa, the healthcare technology industry needs young people who understand both innovation and the realities of healthcare delivery.

“Investing in student mentorship is therefore not only a company priority, but an industry imperative, Through our initiative, students can move from career exploration to mentorship, internships, graduate training, and long-term contribution to the sector.” said Mr. Mosiori.

Industry-led graduate development programs have become increasingly important in preparing students for the demands of the healthcare technology sector.

By combining structured training, practical exposure, and professional mentorship, these programs help graduates build the competencies required to support digital transformation across healthcare and insurance ecosystems.

For students, such pathways provide early exposure to workplace expectations, emerging technologies, and real industry challenges. For the sector, they help create a stronger pool of skilled professionals capable of supporting innovation, service delivery, and long-term growth across Africa.

The launch of the Smart Elevate Student Mentorship Program expanded this industry-facing talent development approach by creating a broader Africa-focused pipeline that began with the Smart Career Fair, where interested students from various schools within JKUAT registered and engaged with healthcare technology professionals.

Participants will benefit from mentorship, career guidance, internship opportunities, and progression into graduate training, ultimately strengthening the human capital needed to advance Africa’s healthcare technology ecosystem.

“The Smart Elevate Student Mentorship Program reflects the broader need to develop African talent through structured learning, practical exposure, and professional growth”, Said Jane Gikonyo, Group Human Resources Director, Smart Applications International.

“By guiding students through mentorship, internships, and graduate training, the industry can build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals who contribute meaningfully to healthcare and technology transformation across the continent”, added Ms Gikonyo.

Prof. Robert Kinyua, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, JKUAT stated that Partnerships between universities and industry are vital in preparing students for the realities of the modern workplace.

“Programs that give students access to mentorship, practical training, and career opportunities are especially important in critical and growing fields such as healthcare technology.” Said Prof. Kinyua.

Building the next generation of healthcare technology talent The Smart Career Fair provided students with direct interaction with healthcare technology professionals, operations managers and healthcare solutions architects insights into emerging careeropportunities and guidance on the skills required to succeed in Africa’s healthcare technology sector.

Those interested in taking their first steps into the industry were able to register on-site for the Smart Elevate program, officially starting their journey toward internships and eventual graduate placements.​

By fostering these tight-knit links between academia and industry, the Smart Elevate Student Mentorship Program is set to become a cornerstone of talent acquisition and professional development in East Africa’s technology ecosystem ensuring that the future of African healthcare is driven by highly skilled, home-grown talent