Smart Applications International Limited has been recognised as a Superbrand, affirming its position as one of Africa’s most trusted and innovative healthcare technology companies.
The honour underscores the firm’s two-decade journey of pioneering digital solutions that are transforming healthcare access and administration across the continent.
Founded in 2003, Smart Applications International Limited operates in 12 African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Zambia, Malawi, and Mauritius. Its systems are today used by more than 1.6 million people through a network of over 9,000 healthcare facilities, making it one of the most extensive healthcare technology networks in Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday during the recognition ceremony in Nairobi, Group Managing Director of Smart Applications International Limited, Harrison Muiru, said the accolade is both an honour and a responsibility to continue driving innovation.
“It is truly an honour to receive such a prestigious mark while serving millions across Africa,” Muiru said. “This recognition affirms the value of our work and strengthens our resolve to continue innovating and shaping the future of healthcare on the continent.”
Muiru recalled the company’s pioneering contribution to healthcare technology when it introduced MediSmart, a biometric-controlled smart card system that redefined patient identification and fraud prevention.
He said the system later evolved into the Smart Access App, a fully digital healthcare access platform downloaded more than half a million times on mobile app stores.
“Beyond the nearly two million patients who use our infrastructure across Africa, we also support a growing number of healthcare institutions with our hospital management and analytics systems,” Muiru said. “Our vision is to combine technology and human impact to provide reliable access to healthcare while eliminating fraud and reducing inefficiencies in medical systems.”
The Group Managing Director explains that Smart’s solutions are not only designed for scale but also for impact.
“We are deeply grateful to our stakeholders, including insurers, healthcare institutions, and governments, who have provided an enabling environment for us to serve. This recognition belongs to everyone who has supported our mission to transform healthcare delivery,” he said.
Jawad Jaffer, Project Director of Superbrand East Africa, says Smart Applications International Limited emerges as one of the strongest brands in the region following a comprehensive evaluation process.
“Superbrands is present in more than 90 countries, eight of which are in East Africa, and we work with independent research firms to identify the strongest brands across regions,” Jaffer said.
“Smart Applications International stands out as a trusted and outstanding brand that resonates with quality, reliability, and distinction.”
He explained that the selection of Superbrands is based on consumer perception across 42 different sectors ranging from finance to technology.
“It takes less than 30 seconds for a consumer to make a brand decision,” Jaffer said. “If a brand is not top of mind, it is not a brand at all. Smart has clearly demonstrated its ability to stay ahead by delivering solutions that people remember, trust, and recommend.”
Smart Applications International’s innovations include SmartHealth+, a hospital management information system that streamlines operations and optimizes resources, and Smart Analytics, a business intelligence platform that allows organisations to use data insights for decision-making and improved performance. These solutions complement the company’s flagship Smart Access App, which continues to transform healthcare access across Africa.
Esther Muiruri, Group Marketing Director of Smart Applications International Limited, says the recognition as a Superbrand validates the trust earned from clients and communities across the continent. “Our clients have reported between 25 and 40 percent savings on their medical scheme expenditure within the first year of using the Smart System, alongside seamless access to healthcare services,” she says. “This demonstrates not only the tangible value we deliver but also our unwavering commitment to transforming the healthcare sector.”
She explains that the company’s approach to innovation is centred on people and inclusivity.
“We are delighted to be recognised not only in Kenya but also across our markets in Africa where we provide systems that simplify healthcare access,” Muiruri says. “Our vision is to create inclusive, sustainable, and impactful solutions that directly address the challenges facing healthcare delivery on the continent.”
Smart’s impact is driven by a team of medics, software engineers, business analysts, and project managers who work across the healthcare value chain to ensure seamless implementation of its solutions. The company also upholds strict international standards, holding ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management, ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification for information security, and ISO 22301:2019 certification for business continuity.
Muiru emphasises that the company’s journey is a collective one built on partnerships. “We have worked with brilliant young minds across Africa to innovate solutions that address real needs in healthcare,” he says. “This recognition reflects the shared vision of all our partners who believe in building a healthcare ecosystem that is efficient, secure, and responsive.”
Jaffer notes that the research which led to Smart’s recognition covered more than 985 brands across Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. He says the process relied on criteria such as reliability, quality, and consumer distinction, all of which Smart Applications International demonstrated strongly.
Muiruri points out that Smart’s focus on digital innovation positions it well to meet Africa’s pressing healthcare challenges, including a shortage of medical professionals. “By leveraging mobile platforms and digital systems, we are enabling access in contexts where the ratio of doctors to patients falls well below World Health Organization standards,” she says. “Our goal is to empower both patients and healthcare providers with solutions that work for Africa.
By Wendy Sheila and Darlene Wambui
