SAMED Women in Medtech Industry
Aug 2023 - Empowering Women in South Africa’s Medical Technology Sector Through Innovation and Transformation
On 25 August 2023, the South African Medical Technology Industry Association (SAMED) hosted the Women in Medtech Industry event at Deloitte offices in Midrand, bringing together pioneering women in healthcare innovation, business development, and economic transformation.
Innovative Entrepreneurs South Africa was invited to participate and share its mission of empowering women through enterprise development, inclusive innovation, and sustainable economic access.
Transformational B-BBEE and Market Access
Our Director, Arlene Wilson-Max, delivered a keynote address focused on the vital role of Transformational Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)—specifically the Enterprise Development (ED) pillar. Her message emphasized the need for intentional collaboration among women in business to:
Unlock market access for women-owned businesses
Align with the 40% government procurement target for women suppliers
Build sustainable income-generating platforms in the medical and technology sectors
Her rallying call to “Think Outside the Box” resonated deeply, advocating for bold thinking and collective action among women in the Medtech and innovation ecosystems.
Innovation Meets Sustainability
At the heart of the conversation was the powerful synergy between technological innovation and environmental responsibility. The event spotlighted how smart infrastructure, renewable energy solutions, and digital health technologies are not only shaping the future of healthcare—but also creating new opportunities for women innovators across Africa.
Forward-thinking businesses in the Medtech space are embracing green technologies and circular economy models to drive down costs, improve patient outcomes, and meet global sustainability benchmarks—all while promoting gender equity.
