Microsoft Corp. has partnered with Kenyan health-technology startup Zendawa to roll out an artificial intelligence–powered platform aimed at improving efficiency and profitability for independent pharmacies across Kenya.
The solution, built on Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power BI and Azure cloud services, helps pharmacies digitize inventory management, generate real-time business insights and forecast demand—capabilities that have traditionally been out of reach for small and medium-sized healthcare retailers.
Independent pharmacies form a critical layer of Kenya’s healthcare system, often serving as the first point of contact for outpatient care. Many, however, operate on thin margins and rely on manual, paper-based processes that contribute to medicine wastage and lost sales. Zendawa’s platform replaces these systems with predictive analytics and automated reporting, enabling pharmacists to optimize stock levels, reduce expired inventory and improve service delivery.
“Small pharmacies are essential to healthcare access in Kenya, yet many struggle with operational inefficiencies and limited access to business intelligence,” said Wilfred Chege, co-founder and chief executive officer of Zendawa. “By leveraging Microsoft’s AI technologies, we are giving pharmacists tools that help them reduce losses, grow revenue and operate more sustainably.”
Pharmacists using the platform report fewer losses from expired medicines, better visibility into fast-moving products and higher daily sales, according to Zendawa. Automated stock-taking has also reduced the need for temporary shop closures, allowing pharmacies to stay open longer and serve more customers.
“At Ryche Pharmacy, expired stock used to cost us thousands of shillings every month,” said Dr. Bramwel Othieno, a pharmacist using the system. “With the AI insights, we can now track expiry dates, predict demand and focus more on patient care instead of manual record-keeping.”
Beyond operational gains, the platform allows pharmacies to build data-driven credit profiles that can be used to access financing from lending partners without traditional collateral—a longstanding barrier for small healthcare businesses in the region.
Founded in 2023, Zendawa has expanded across Nairobi and other urban centers, supporting hundreds of pharmacies as they transition to digital operations. The partnership underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence in strengthening healthcare supply chains and supporting small businesses across Africa.
Microsoft said the collaboration reflects its broader strategy of using AI to drive productivity and economic opportunity through local partnerships that address real-world challenges in healthcare delivery and business sustainability.
National health utilization data in Kenya shows a significant share of outpatient care begins at community pharmacies, reinforcing their importance within the healthcare system. By combining local innovation with global AI capabilities, Microsoft and Zendawa are positioning the technology as a scalable tool to improve healthcare delivery, enhance business resilience and support Kenya’s broader digital transformation agenda.
