Folake Owodunni is the co-founder and CEO of Emergency Response Africa (ERA), a pioneering health-tech company revolutionising how medical emergencies are managed across Africa, starting with Nigeria. She holds a Master’s in Global Health & Development from University College London and a Master’s in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) from the University of Waterloo, Canada. She is also a certified First Responder with the Canadian Red Cross. In this interview with KENNETH ATHEKAME, she spoke on how her background in Global Health and Entrepreneurship has shaped ERA’s model and priorities. She also shared insights into ERA’s partnerships with state governments and how the organisation collaborates with public sector institutions to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Excerpts:
What inspired the creation of Emergency Response Africa (ERA), and what specific healthcare gaps in Nigeria were you aiming to address?
The idea for Emergency Response Africa (ERA) was born out of a deeply personal experience in 2017. I was living in Canada at the time when my young son had a medical emergency. I called 911, and within 10 minutes, a trained emergency team was at our doorstep. That moment stuck with me, not just because of how quickly help came, but because I realized how different the outcome might have been if we were back home in Nigeria. My co-founder, Maame Poku from Ghana, had a very different experience. She lost a close family member simply because medical help didn’t arrive on time. That painful loss, and the realization that so many lives are lost across Africa every day due to lack of access to emergency care, was what pushed us to take action. We launched ERA to close that gap. We’re a health tech company focused on making emergency medical care fast, accessible, and reliable. Our goal is to make sure that when someone in Nigeria has an emergency, whether it’s a pregnant woman in distress, a child with a fever, or a crash victim, they can get help within minutes, not hours. We connect people to trained first responders, dispatch help using our technology platform, and ensure safe transport to hospitals. It’s about giving people a fighting chance when it matters most. That’s the gap we’re trying to fill, and why we do what we do.
How did your background in Global Health and Entrepreneurship influence ERA’s model and priorities?
My background in global health gave me a strong understanding of the systemic challenges in healthcare across Africa, particularly around access, equity, and the social determinants of health. I’ve always been drawn to solutions that address the root causes, not just the symptoms. In many global health programs, emergency care is often overlooked, yet it’s one of the most critical links in saving lives. That realisation shaped ERA’s mission to close the deadly gap between home and hospital. At the same time, my entrepreneurial background pushed me to think about sustainability and scale from day one. I didn’t want ERA to be another donor-dependent health project. I wanted us to build a solution that could serve both public and private markets, generate its own revenue, and prove that life-saving healthcare can be delivered efficiently and affordably, even in low-resource settings. Combining both perspectives (global health and entrepreneurship) helped us build a model that is deeply rooted in community needs but structured to grow, adapt, and thrive over the long term. It’s why we prioritise local partnerships, government engagement, and tech-enabled operations all essential for impact at scale.
Can you walk us through how Emergency Response Africa works, from the moment someone needs help to when care is delivered?
Our toll-free emergency line (0 8000 2255 372) is the primary way people reach us during emergencies, although we also have API integrations and other tech-enabled solutions that make it easy for people to contact us via mobile apps and other channels. When someone reaches out during an emergency, they are connected to a trained medical dispatcher who receives the emergency request, performs triage, and connects the victim to the nearest available ambulance or community first responder. If a hospital transfer is needed, the dispatcher contacts verified, emergency-ready hospitals near the scene to confirm availability before dispatching the ambulance. Our service doesn’t stop at hospital transfer. We also ensure the patient is admitted and stabilised at the hospital, and we follow up with their family or loved ones to check on the patient’s condition.
What role does technology play in ERA’s emergency response system, and how does it improve upon traditional models in health care in Nigeria?
Technology is at the heart of ERA’s emergency response system, but we are very intentional about building practical solutions that fit the local context and are scalable. We have developed a smart dispatch system that connects people in distress to the nearest equipped ambulance, hospital, or first responder, dramatically reducing response time. Even simple tools like our tollfree emergency line, USSD technology, and mobile apps make access easier, especially in areas with limited connectivity. Two key features stand out: First, our First Responder mobile app, which notifies trained responders within minutes of an incident in their area, enabling faster on-the-ground intervention. Second, our system sends case information ahead to hospitals, allowing them to confirm readiness and reduce deadly delays during patient handover. Unlike traditional models that often rely on manual coordination and limited resources, our technology enables real-time tracking, faster decision-making, and better data collection, all of which translate into quicker, more reliable emergency care. Ultimately, our goal isn’t to build technology for technology’s sake but to solve real problems and save lives by using tools that work effectively in Africa’s unique healthcare environment.
In a country with infrastructure challenges, how does ERA overcome issues like GPS inaccuracies, traffic, or poor road access in Nigeria?
Emergency Response Africa addresses these infrastructure challenges through a combination of innovative technology and a flexible operational model. For example, in areas where poor road access or heavy traffic make it difficult for ambulances to reach patients quickly, we deploy Motorcycle Medics, trained paramedics equipped with life-saving tools who can navigate difficult terrain and provide on-site care rapidly. Our technology platform also plays a key role in reducing delays. It helps us identify and dispatch the most appropriate and well-equipped ambulance closest to the patient while also guiding responders through the most efficient routes. In addition, the system is built to handle GPS inaccuracies by using alternative tracking and coordination methods when needed. Overall, by combining on-ground flexibility with intelligent dispatch technology, ERA ensures that emergency care can reach people as quickly and effectively as possible, even in the face of Nigeria’s infrastructure limitations.
How are you using data and AI, if at all, to predict demand, improve response, or tailor health interventions?
Data plays a critical role in how we operate at Emergency Response Africa. We actively use it to analyse response times, identify high-demand areas, and guide decisions around network expansion and resource allocation. It also helps us evaluate and improve the quality of care we provide across different locations. While we’re not currently using artificial intelligence in our day-to-day operations, we recognise its potential and have plans to integrate AI-driven tools in the near future, particularly to enhance operational efficiency, improve real-time decision making, and better anticipate emergency trends. For now, our data-driven approach ensures that every improvement we make is backed by real-world insights and aligned with the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
Can you share a success story that highlights the life-saving impact of ERA’s technology?
At Emergency Response Africa (ERA), we’ve impacted thousands of lives across Nigeria, and each case reinforces why timely, coordinated emergency care is essential. One standout example comes from a member of staff at a private organization in Lagos who reached out through our toll-free number after a colleague collapsed. Within minutes, our dispatcher had assessed the situation and deployed an ambulance to the location. The feedback we received later was deeply moving. The patient received first aid at the scene, was transported swiftly to the hospital, and recovered well. We have had other cases where responders arrived even before the estimated time of arrival (ETA), administered life-saving care, and ensured smooth handovers to hospitals. Across multiple cities, clients have consistently praised the professionalism, empathy, and efficiency of our dispatchers and medical teams. From swift coordination and constant updates to seamless communication with receiving facilities, our technology continues to reduce delays and improve
You have partnered with several state governments. How do you work with public sector institutions to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery in Nigeria?
Partnership with the public sector is central to our model at Emergency Response Africa. We see ourselves not just as a service provider but as a strategic partner to governments working to improve emergency healthcare. Our approach begins with understanding each state’s existing healthcare infrastructure, gaps, and priorities. We then co-design solutions that complement their efforts—whether that means deploying tricycle ambulances in rural communities, training community-based first responders, or providing our digital dispatch technology to strengthen referral systems. For example, in Ogun State, we partnered with the Ministry of Health to launch the Rural Maternal Health Emergency Transport (R-MHET) program, which brought emergency care to women in hard-to-reach areas using locally available transport and trained responders. This initiative not only saved lives but also improved coordination between PHCs and hospitals. In Edo State, we helped build a community-based EMS system, working with the government to train over 300 responders and integrate emergency services into the public health agenda. We stay closely involved, sharing data, offering technical support, and building local capacity. These partnerships work because they are rooted in trust, aligned goals, and a shared commitment to long-term systems change.
What has been the biggest challenge in implementing tech-driven solutions within Nigeria’s public health systems, and how have you navigated it?
One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of clear regulatory categories for digital health innovations like ours. Emergency Response Africa doesn’t fit the traditional model of an ambulance company or hospital, so aligning with existing public health structures requires ongoing engagement and advocacy with regulators. We have also faced challenges due to infrastructure limitations, including unreliable connectivity and high operating costs in low resource settings. To navigate this, we’ve built resilient, offline-capable systems and formed strategic partnerships with public health agencies to align our solutions with national and state level health goals.
ERA has supported over 7,000 incidents so far. What are your plans for scale both geographically and technologically?
Absolutely. Reaching over 7,000 emergency cases has shown us what’s possible when community-driven care meets smart technology. For scale, we’re focused on expanding to states where the need is highest, particularly for maternal and newborn emergencies. We’re also enhancing our technology to improve response speed and coordination, especially in areas with limited infrastructure. Our priority is sustainable growth—working closely with governments, private partners, and communities to ensure that as we grow, the quality of care and human connection stays strong.
How do you ensure that rural or underserved populations benefit from ERA’s platform, not just urban centers?
One of our core values at Emergency Response Africa is to be “For Everyone.” We are committed to ensuring that emergency care reaches not only those in urban centres but also people in rural and underserved communities. To achieve this, we partner with international NGOs and state governments to provide emergency care for individuals who may not be able to afford it. We also collaborate with state emergency services to extend our reach and ensure that even the most vulnerable populations receive the care they need. While delivering this kind of service can be challenging, especially as a for-profit corporate entity, we consistently strive to bridge the gap in access and remain true to our mission of saving lives.
As a female tech founder in healthcare, what unique challenges or opportunities have you encountered in Nigeria’s startup ecosystem?
Being a female tech founder in Nigeria’s healthcare space comes with both challenges and unique leverage points. One of the early challenges was being taken seriously in rooms where decisions are often male-dominated, especially when you’re building in a space like emergency response that’s traditionally overlooked or underfunded. Access to capital can also be more difficult. Even when you have the data and traction, you sometimes have to prove yourself twice as hard. On the opportunity side, there’s a growing recognition of the value women bring to tech and health innovation. More networks are supporting women founders now than when we first started, and I see that as an opening not just for me, but for others coming up behind me. In many ways, my identity has been both a challenge and an asset, but it has definitely shaped ERA’s mission, approach, and impact in meaningful ways.
What do you believe is the future of healthcare technology in Nigeria and across Africa in the next 5–10 years?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I see healthcare technology playing a pivotal role in transforming how care is delivered, especially in pre-hospital care, which I believe will start to receive the critical attention it deserves. More people are beginning to understand that what happens before a patient gets to the hospital can determine whether they live or die, and technology will be key in bridging that gap. I also see significant improvements across the three tiers of healthcare (primary, secondary, and tertiary) as digital tools become more accessible, interoperable, and tailored to local needs. Innovations like smart dispatch systems, telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and mobile-first platforms will empower both patients and providers to act faster and more effectively.
In light of recent tragic incidents like the death of Teejay, Bumpa’s co-founder, which sparked national outrage due to delays in emergency response and lack of immediate medical care, what role do you believe Emergency Response Africa can play in preventing such outcomes, and what systemic changes are urgently needed?
Tragic incidents like that remind us why the work we do at Emergency Response Africa is not just important, it’s urgent. No one should lose their life simply because they couldn’t access help fast enough. These situations highlight the critical gaps in Nigeria’s emergency care system: lack of coordination, delayed hospital access, and inadequate pre-hospital support. ERA was built to address exactly these issues. By leveraging technology, we connect people to trained responders, ambulances, and emergency-ready hospitals in real time, cutting down the time it takes to get care. In many cases, our motorcycle medics and community first responders are able to reach people within minutes, providing on-site care while coordinating transport to verified hospitals that are ready to receive the patient. To prevent this type of tragedy from occurring in the near future, systemic change is essential. We need a more integrated emergency response framework, one that includes centralized dispatch systems, nationwide training for first responders, better hospital coordination, and public education on how to act in emergencies. It also means creating policies that support private innovation in emergency care and encouraging insurance and financing mechanisms that make timely care accessible to everyone, regardless of income.
