When Gregory Rockson co-founded mPharma in 2013, many thought he was taking on an impossible challenge. The African healthcare system was fragmented, medication prices were out of reach for millions, and supply chains were inefficient at best. But Rockson saw an opportunity to disrupt the industry and improve access to affordable medicines. Today, mPharma is doing exactly that—transforming healthcare delivery across Africa and serving millions of patients.
Rockson’s journey to build mPharma began with a bold vision: to simplify Africa’s pharmaceutical supply chain and make essential medications affordable for everyone. Starting in Ghana, the company quickly expanded to multiple countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Malawi. mPharma has since raised over $65 million in funding from global investors, including the likes of Goldman Sachs, and it now manages a network of more than 1,200 pharmacies and hospitals across the continent.
But Rockson’s impact goes beyond the numbers. At its core, mPharma is designed to solve one of Africa’s most pressing problems: access to quality, affordable healthcare. Through its innovative model, mPharma partners directly with pharmaceutical companies, negotiating lower prices and using a tech-driven inventory system to manage the supply of medications. This not only reduces costs for patients but also ensures that pharmacies can keep essential drugs in stock—something that was previously a major issue.
What many people don’t know is how close mPharma came to failing in its early days. Rockson faced numerous challenges, from raising initial capital to convincing skeptical investors that Africa’s healthcare industry was ripe for disruption. In 2015, during the company’s early expansion efforts, regulatory hurdles and operational difficulties nearly derailed mPharma’s mission. But Rockson’s resilience and belief in his vision kept the company on track. He often recalls those tough early years as a time of constant learning and adaptation.
The turning point came in 2020 when mPharma raised $17 million in Series C funding, bringing the total raised to over $65 million. This allowed the company to scale its operations significantly, providing medication access to more than 2 million patients annually. With this growth, mPharma is now valued at over $500 million, making it one of Africa’s most promising healthtech companies.
In addition to its core business, mPharma has introduced initiatives like Mutti, a subscription-based service that allows patients to pay for medications in installments. This program has been a game-changer for millions of low-income Africans who previously couldn’t afford essential drugs. Under Rockson’s leadership, mPharma has also been at the forefront of deploying digital health solutions, further expanding its reach and impact.
One of the defining characteristics of Gregory Rockson’s leadership is his commitment to solving Africa’s healthcare challenges from within the continent. “Africa doesn’t need external solutions,” he once said. “We need African solutions to African problems.” His philosophy has shaped mPharma into a company that not only delivers critical services but also empowers local pharmacies and hospitals to better serve their communities.
Today, mPharma operates in eight African countries, with plans to expand even further. The company’s partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies and governments have allowed it to lower drug prices by as much as 30% in some regions, making healthcare more affordable for millions. Rockson’s vision for mPharma extends far beyond just fixing supply chains—he wants to build a healthcare ecosystem that is sustainable and scalable across the entire continent.
As mPharma continues to grow, Rockson remains focused on the future. He sees a world where no African has to choose between paying for food or medicine. “Healthcare is a fundamental human right,” he often says, and through mPharma, he is working tirelessly to ensure that this right is upheld for millions of Africans. With more funding rounds on the horizon and new innovations in the pipeline, it’s clear that Rockson’s mission is far from over.
With mPharma now valued at half a billion dollars, Gregory Rockson is not only building a business—he’s reshaping the future of healthcare in Africa. And as more investors and partners recognize the potential of this transformative company, Rockson’s impact on the continent is set to grow even larger.
