Helium Health wins a US$2.5m Google.org grant to use AI for safer pregnancies in Nigeria

Lagos — Helium Health, a Nigerian health technology company, has received a US$2.5 million grant from Google.org to use artificial intelligence to improve care for pregnant women.

Founded in 2016, Helium Health makes the electronic medical records and hospital management system most widely used in West Africa. It is one of 15 organisations worldwide chosen for the US$30 million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Government Innovation, which backs groups working with governments to improve public services.

HeliumMum

The money will fund clinical AI tools through Helium Health's maternal health programme, HeliumMum, in Lagos, Delta, Kano and Oyo states, with Lagos as the main launchpad. The tools help pregnant women spot possible complications early and connect them with suitable care, linking them to facilities that use electronic records and AI-supported clinical decision tools. Governments will also get data to find gaps in maternal care.

The company aims to reach another 1.9 million women over three years and to contribute to a 30% reduction in maternal deaths. It says it has already reached more than 3.5 million women through maternal health work over the past decade. It will also join a Google.org accelerator with support from Google engineers.

"Behind every maternal death is a woman whose family expected her to come home," said Dr Shona Oluwatola, Helium Health's head of public health.

Source: Disrupt Africa, November 2026.