Making Diabetes Management Accessible Across Africa
We're building a future where every person with diabetes in Africa has access to the tools, education, and support needed for effective self-management, regardless of location or income.
19M+
People with diabetes in Africa
70%
Remain undiagnosed or untreated
12×
Higher mortality rate than global average
$45B
Annual economic burden by 2030
A New Model for Diabetes Care in Africa
Bluely blends powerful digital tools with grassroots action — making diabetes management accessible, connected, and culturally rooted. We meet people where they are, online and offline.
Technology That Fits Real Lives
We build Bluely to work for everyone — especially people in Africa where access to healthcare tech is limited. Our tools work on feature phones, offline, and in low-connectivity environments.
On-Ground Community Outreach
Beyond the app, our local teams run real-world campaigns in schools, communities, and universities — offering free blood sugar screenings, education, and emotional health awareness to young adults.
Improving Access to Medical Devices
We are looking to collaborate with partners to make affordable diabetes supplies available — and advocate for lasting solutions. We aim to close the gap in access to testing kits, glucose meters, and CGMs.
Community-Driven Development
We work with people living with diabetes, local healthcare providers, and grassroots advocates to shape Bluely/s features — so everything we build truly serves those who need it most.
Understanding the Diabetes Crisis in Africa
Diabetes management in Africa faces unique challenges that require specially tailored solutions. These are the critical issues we're addressing.
Limited Access to Technology
Modern diabetes tools like CGMs and digital trackers are often unavailable or unaffordable in many African countries, leaving people without essential support.
of people with diabetes in Africa lack access to glucose monitoring technology
Healthcare Infrastructure Gaps
There are too few diabetes specialists across Africa — especially in rural areas — making it hard for patients to receive timely, personalized care.
doctor-to-patient ratio for diabetes specialists in some regions
Affordability Barriers
The cost of managing diabetes — from test strips to insulin — can consume a large portion of income, especially in low-income families.
of income may go toward diabetes-related expenses for many families
Lack of Awareness & Early Detection
Many cases go undiagnosed due to misinformation, stigma, or lack of access to testing. Education and early detection are still major gaps.
of diabetes cases in Africa are undiagnosed or diagnosed late
Our Solutions for Africa
We're implementing a comprehensive approach to address the unique challenges of diabetes management across Africa.
Pilot Outreach Campaigns
We’re organizing early outreach in schools and universities — offering free sugar checks, awareness events, and mental health conversations for young adults.
Learn more
Digital Buddy & Journaling App
Our web app supports users with mood + sugar tracking, journaling, and buddy support — even on low-bandwidth connections or basic smartphones.
Learn more
Affordable Device Partnerships (In Progress)
We’re building relationships with NGOs and device manufacturers to explore subsidized access to glucose monitors for underserved communities.
Learn more
Offline Support Tools
We’re prototyping SMS-based features for people without smartphones — enabling logging, reminders, and basic education through any phone.
Learn moreReal Impact on Real Lives
Hear from the healthcare providers and patients whose lives have been changed by our work in Africa.
Chika E.
Nursing Student, Nigeria
"Using Bluely has made me feel less alone with diabetes. Having a buddy I can talk to when I’m overwhelmed really helps — and the daily check-ins keep me grounded."
Julius A.
Community Health Volunteer
"I love what Bluely is trying to do. I joined the outreach pilot because we need more support like this — something that meets people where they are, not just in cities."
Working Together for Change
We collaborate with healthcare organizations, governments, and NGOs across Africa to maximize our impact.
Donate
Your financial support helps us develop affordable technology and extend our reach to more communities across Africa.
Make a DonationPartner With Us
Healthcare organizations, device manufacturers, and NGOs can join our network of partners to amplify our collective impact.
Become a PartnerSpread the Word
Help raise awareness about the diabetes crisis in Africa and our solutions by sharing our mission with your network.
Roadmap to Impact
We've set ambitious goals for expanding our reach and impact across Africa in the coming years.
Launch & Listening
We launched the Bluely web platform with core features: journaling, mood/sugar tracking, buddy support, and community check-ins. Alongside, we’re gathering user feedback and testing local outreach campaigns.
Key Milestone
Launched beta in Cameroon + first awareness/testing events
Pilot & Partnerships
Our focus is on refining the platform and launching small-scale outreach campaigns (free screenings + education) in 2–3 cities. We’ll also begin building relationships with local NGOs, universities, and hospitals.
Key Milestone
Active presence in 2 countries with 1,000+ active users
Community Scaling
We aim to train community health ambassadors, host more physical events, and explore subsidized access to glucose devices via partnerships. Bluely will expand to French-speaking regions and deepen mental health support.
Key Milestone
5,000 users • 100 trained local ambassadors • First NGO device pilot
Regional Impact
With momentum and stronger backing, we plan to work with ministries of health, launch our first mobile care van, and begin integrating with basic national health campaigns in schools and clinics.
Key Milestone
Launched 1 mobile care unit • 10K lives reached through outreach
Bluely for All
By 2034, Bluely aims to serve 50,000+ people living with or at risk of diabetes across Africa, with a trusted platform, community health presence, and early partnerships in 5+ countries.
Key Milestone
50K supported users • Program active in 5+ African countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about our mission, approach, and how you can get involved.
Why focus on Africa specifically?
Africa faces a unique combination of challenges: rapidly rising diabetes rates, limited healthcare infrastructure, and significant economic barriers to accessing modern management tools. Despite these challenges, there's been relatively little innovation in diabetes technology specifically designed for African contexts. We believe focusing our efforts where the need is greatest and the solutions most lacking can create transformative impact.
How are your solutions different from existing diabetes technologies?
While conventional diabetes technology is designed for high-resource settings with reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and healthcare access, our solutions are specifically engineered for varied African contexts. This means developing devices with longer battery life, creating apps that work offline and on feature phones, designing for affordability, and building educational components that respect diverse cultural contexts and literacy levels.
How can I support your mission if I don't live in Africa?
There are many ways to contribute regardless of your location. Financial donations help fund our research, development, and implementation. Technical professionals can volunteer their expertise. Healthcare providers can participate in our training programs. Companies can explore partnership opportunities. And everyone can help by raising awareness about the diabetes crisis in Africa and the importance of accessible management tools.
Do you work with local governments and healthcare systems?
Yes, collaboration with local stakeholders is central to our approach. We work closely with ministries of health, public hospitals, community health workers, and local diabetes associations. Our goal is not to create parallel systems but to strengthen existing healthcare infrastructure and ensure our solutions are integrated into national diabetes strategies for long-term sustainability.
2024 Annual Impact Report
Read our latest annual report to learn about our progress, challenges, and impact across Africa over the past year. Discover the stories behind the numbers and our plans for the future.
Contact the Bluely Team
Whether you’re a potential partner, healthcare professional, supporter, or just curious about what we’re doing, we’d love to hear from you. Bluely is growing, and your voice can help shape our journey.
Community Offices
Cameroon Pilot Hub:
Yaoundé Innovation Lab, Cameroon
Nigeria Partner Space:
Surulere, Lagos (co-working office)