Nawah Scientific, an Egyptian deeptech firm, has successfully closed a $23 million Series A funding round, a significant milestone for Africa's life sciences sector. The blended equity and debt financing was led by Life Ventures Holding and will fuel the expansion of Nawah's innovative "cloud lab" platform. This investment underscores growing confidence in capital-intensive, research-driven business models across the continent, marking a pivotal moment for regional innovation.
A Decade of Innovation in Remote Research
Founded in 2015 by pharmaceutical scientist Dr. Omar Shokry Sakr, Nawah Scientific was created to solve a critical infrastructure gap in the Middle East and Africa. The company operates a unique "cloud lab" model, allowing scientists to conduct experiments remotely by sending samples for analysis at Nawah's central facilities. This approach democratizes access to high-quality research tools, a service that has already processed over one million samples for clients in 30 countries.
Strategic Allocation of Capital for Expansion
The substantial $23 million injection is earmarked for a multi-pronged expansion strategy aimed at cementing Nawah's regional and international footprint. A key priority is the establishment of a 10,000-square-meter global research and development hub in Rwanda to serve as a gateway to East Africa. The company will also double its laboratory capacity in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia to meet escalating demand for its services.
A Landmark Investment for African Deeptech
This funding round represents a pivotal moment for Africa's venture capital landscape, which has traditionally favored asset-light sectors like fintech. Nawah’s success in securing a blended round from investors like AfricInvest and Elsewedy signals a maturing market willing to back R&D-intensive ventures. The deal was lauded by Egyptian officials as a shift toward value-added, technology-driven private sector investments that build export-ready capabilities.
Diversified Services and Global Recognition
Nawah has strategically diversified its offerings across four primary verticals: life sciences, pharmaceutical services, food and agriculture, and certified reference materials (CRM). This broad portfolio caters to a wide range of industries and is bolstered by rigorous international compliance. The company is notably the first African research center to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accreditation for food analysis, enhancing its global competitiveness.
The company's four business units address distinct market needs, from advanced testing for life science research to formulation support for pharmaceutical clients. Its food and agriculture division provides certified safety testing for producers, while the CRM unit produces critical standards for lab calibration. This comprehensive service model positions Nawah as an essential partner for regulated industries across the continent and globally.
As Nawah Scientific embarks on its next decade, this Series A funding provides the necessary capital to scale its transformative model across Africa and beyond. The investment not only validates the company's vision but also serves as a powerful catalyst for the entire deeptech ecosystem in the region. By expanding its infrastructure and reach, Nawah is poised to further empower scientific innovation and solidify its position as a leader in remote research services.