Prime Highlights
- French startup Alan has acquired Senegal’s Tanel, aiming to reach over 1 million members across Africa by 2030.
- Tanel co-founder Mohammed Ndoye said the deal reflects growing maturity in Africa’s startup ecosystem and could spur more acquisitions.
Key Facts
- Tanel currently operates in Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire.
- Talks between Alan and Tanel began in 2024 during Tanel’s seed funding round.
Background-
French health startup Alan has acquired Dakar-based digital health company Tanel, marking its first move into Africa, with both firms aiming to reach more than 1 million members across the continent by 2030.
Mohammed Ndoye, co-founder of Tanel, told CNBC Africa that talks between the two companies began in 2024 while Tanel was raising its seed round. He said conversations deepened over time as both sides realized they shared a mission of making healthcare more accessible, with discussions shifting toward a full combination earlier this year.
Tanel already operates in Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, giving Alan an entry point into African healthcare. Ndoye said the company was founded in Senegal, where its founders have roots, before expanding into neighbouring Francophone markets.
He pointed to Africa’s largely paper-based health insurance systems as a major gap the deal could help address, noting patients often must collect claim documents from insurers before seeking treatment. Building core health infrastructure first, he said, was necessary before layering digital services on top.
Ndoye said the combined company plans to expand beyond Francophone West Africa into Anglophone markets, calling Africa “the next frontier” for growth. He added that the deal signals growing maturity in Africa’s startup ecosystem and could encourage more global firms to acquire local companies instead of building from scratch. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
