Uche Kenneth Udekwe Recognized Among Africa's Most 100
Change Makers 2023
Uche Kenneth Udekwe, a prominent figure in Africa's social
entrepreneurship landscape, has garnered recognition as one of the continent's
top 100 change-makers in 2023. As the Founder and CEO of NATAL CARES, Uche
combines his expertise as a Public Health Administrator with a fervent
commitment to ICT for Development (ICT4D) to address pressing issues in
maternal and child health.
Driven by personal tragedy following the loss of his
childhood friend and sister-in-law during childbirth in 2017, Uche embarked on
a mission to combat maternal and child mortality. His organization, NATAL
CARES, leverages mobile technology, machine learning, and innovative approaches
to deliver healthcare, medical monitoring, and emergency services to vulnerable
pregnant women, particularly in rural areas. Moreover, Uche advocates for
improved healthcare access at primary healthcare centers.
Uche's remarkable linguistic abilities, fluently speaking
six Nigerian languages alongside English and Sign Language, amplify his impact,
facilitating effective communication and community engagement. His passion for
design thinking and ICT's potential for social good underscores his innovative
approach.
Uche's tireless efforts have earned him numerous accolades,
including the prestigious Future Awards Africa 2018 for Advocacy and the YALI
Leadership Award in Health and Well-Being in 2018. His contributions were
further recognized with the Africa Innovate for SDGs Award by Ghana's President
Nana Akufo-Addo in 2019.
Subsequent honors include the LEAP Africa Outstanding Fellow
Award in 2020 and the JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award in 2021, among
others. Uche's multifaceted achievements underscore his unwavering dedication
to driving positive change across Africa.
