MDaaS Global, a Nigerian healthcare startup operating 16 diagnostic clinics, has opened its first clinic in Cameroon, marking its initial expansion into Francophone Africa.
This strategic move is aimed at shielding the company from Nigeria’s Naira volatility and boost revenue growth. “We’re scaling rapidly in Nigeria… but we needed to diversify from a single country considering everything going on in Nigeria,” said Oluwasoga Oni, CEO of MDaaS.
Founded in 2017, MDaaS provides diagnostic services such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and lab tests across Nigeria, reaching 26 states. Its tech platform supports 20 affiliate clinics, allowing the company to maintain centralized control and efficient operations.
The startup reports strong profitability in Nigeria, where patients pay upfront for services. Oni emphasized the company’s advantage lies in its end-to-end service delivery, from tech installation to clinic management.
The company selected Douala, Cameroon’s commercial hub, as its entry point due to its bilingual setting and the significant demand for quality healthcare. MDaaS noted a service gap in Cameroon’s healthcare sector, where patient service is slower and less digitalized compared to Nigeria. “We observed that processes were much slower… these are issues we’ve already solved in Nigeria,” Oni explained.
MDaaS joins other Nigerian startups in expanding abroad as a response to the Naira’s steep depreciation. Many investors are pressing for cross-border growth, especially in Francophone West Africa where the Euro-pegged currency offers greater stability. MDaaS raised $3 million in funding earlier this year, bolstering its operational capacity for regional expansion.
In addition to diagnostics, MDaaS runs a B2B digital health platform called Sentinel, focused on preventive care. However, 65% of its revenue still comes from direct-to-consumer services. The startup has served over 360,000 patients, with a significant share of this growth driven by Nigerian cities like Ibadan and Akure.
MDaaS plans to use its Douala expansion to deepen its presence in the West African market. “Our big motto is ‘building healthcare for Africa’s next billion,’ so everything we’re doing furthers that goal,” Oni said, underscoring the company’s broader ambition.