Ghanaian startup, mPharma gets new CEO as Gregory Rockson steps down after 12 years

Co-founder of Ghana-based healthtech startup mPharma, Gregory Rockson, has stepped down from his role as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. In a LinkedIn post, the co-founder announced the end of a 12-year reign as the CEO.

Gregory has announced that with immediate effect, Kwesi Archin will take up the role as the startup’s new CEO. 

According to Gregory, he will now focus on his role as the co-founder and chairman of the board.

“After 12 years of starting and building mPharma, I am happy to pass the baton to Kwesi Arhin, FCCA, to lead us in the next phase of our journey as our new CEO, while I focus on my role as Chair of the board,” he said in the post.

Gregory believes the development is an attempt to further push mPharma’s service delivery across Africa by trusting an old-time friend’s leadership. “Kwesi and I have been friends since high school, and there is no better person to continue our work of building an Africa in good health,” he added.

Since joining mPharma in 2023, Kwesi has been an integral part of the startup, holding two key positions. After joining in April 2023, he served as its Senior Vice President till July 2025 before being appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

After just 3 months, Kwesi will be taking the mantle as mPharma’s CEO.

Gregory said that the decision was taken out of the shores of expanding the startups’ coverage across Africa. While reinstating his support for the new leadership, the co-founder said mPharma will continue to play its part in solving socio-economic health-related challenges and bridge the healthcare services gap across Africa.

“While recent geopolitical changes create a challenging period for health systems in Africa, these are the times to take the long road to building sustainable models of healthcare delivery, free from ‘perpetual aid.’” Gregory added.

Also Read: Ghanaian startup, mPharma acquires majority stake in Nigerian pharmacy brand, HealthPlus

Since 2013 by Gregory Rockson, Daniel Shoukimas, and James Finucane, the Ghanaian-based healthcare startup has expanded its digital and retail pharmacy services across notable African countries. mPharma currently operates in at least 9 African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Gabon. 

Through its mutti pharmacies and partnerships with other health care centres, mPharma provided services like medical consultations, diagnostics, and telemedicine to communities across Africa.

The startup also prioritises teleconsultations and diagnostic services at the local pharmacy level.  

mPharma under Gregory Rockson’s leadership 

A core part of mPharma’s mission is to build an Africa that is in good health by delivering life-changing healthcare services and drugs to improve health outcomes for patients. With its technology-driven health care services, mPharma has remained committed to this goal. 

In November, the startup partnered with Nectar Beauty Hub, a prominent player in Nigeria’s beauty distribution and retail sector. The collaboration is part of mPharma’s mission to reconnect healthcare and wellness in Africa.

The project was also part of its transformative goal for HealthPlus.

In September 2022, mPharma acquired a majority stake in HealthPlus, Nigeria’s leading pharmacy brand at the time. Through the deal, the Ghanaian-based startup was able to offer affordable and quality medications across the 12 states in Nigeria under HealthPlus.

In addition, the deal saw mPharma grow its network from 224 to over 320 health facilities in Nigeria. It also helped extend its care offerings to more than 100,000 Nigerians each month.

In 2020, mPharma raised $17 million in a round led by the CDC Group.

The round was backed by existing investors such as Dr Daniel Vasella, ex-CEO and Chairman of pharmaceutical giant Novartis; Silicon Valley investor Jim Breyer; and Dompe Holdings. The funding was accompanied by the appointment of Helena Foulkes to the board.

The round came after the company’s Series B round of $12 million in 2019, and $6.6 million Series A in 2017. Following the raise, mPharma acquired Kenya’s second-largest pharmacy chain, Haltons, for less than $5 million.