Technology-Enabled Emergency Response Network
MLC Voyager | Emergency Response Africa
Emergency Response Africa (ERA) operates a decentralized, technology-enabled emergency medical response network in Nigeria, connecting people in underserved communities to trained first responders, community ambulances, and emergency-ready hospitals. The innovation addresses critical delays in accessing care for vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and low-income families.
96,000 Lives Impacted
Emergency Response Africa (ERA) has transformed access to emergency medical services for low-income populations in Nigeria by reducing the time it takes to reach care from hours to minutes. Through a network of over 200 trained Community-Based First Responders (CBFRs), 180 vehicles, and technology-enabled dispatch (via web, mobile app, SMS, and USSD), ERA has responded to more than 7,000 emergencies across nine cities. These include maternal, cardiovascular, and trauma cases, saving hundreds of lives that would otherwise have been lost to preventable delays.
To date, ERA has directly impacted 96,000 individuals, the majority of whom live on less than $5.50 per day. Its maternal emergency transport programs, such as the R-MHET project in Ogun State, have connected more than 400 rural women to life-saving care, with zero maternal deaths reported. In Edo State, ERA’s technology now supports emergency services for 2 million residents. Beyond direct responses, ERA has trained over 2,000 individuals in CPR and first aid, strengthening community resilience. These outcomes demonstrate the potential of ERA’s decentralized, scalable model to reduce maternal and child mortality, improve survival rates in emergencies, and close systemic gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Innovation
ERA’s innovation is a bottom-up, technology-enabled emergency response system designed for low-resource settings where conventional ambulance networks are non-existent or inaccessible. At its core is a dispatch platform that matches emergencies to the nearest available responders—trained community volunteers, motorcycle/tricycle ambulances, and hospitals with verified capacity. The system functions through multiple channels (app, web, SMS, and USSD), ensuring accessibility in both urban and rural settings.
The model is unique in leveraging local assets—community responders and affordable vehicles—while integrating with state health systems through public-private partnerships. ERA addresses the “three delays” in emergency care: recognition, transport, and treatment. By embedding responders in communities, ERA ensures 40–80% faster response times compared to traditional systems. Data collected through the platform provides real-time insights to improve service delivery and support policy.
ERA’s approach has proven adaptable across diverse Nigerian states, reaching pregnant women, children under five, elderly persons with chronic illnesses, and accident victims. With proven impact in reducing maternal deaths and saving hundreds of lives, ERA now aims to scale to 15+ states and reach over one million people in the next 3–5 years, making emergency care equitable and accessible for all.
About Emergency Response Africa
Emergency Response Africa (ERA) is a health-tech social enterprise that saves lives by connecting anyone experiencing a medical emergency to the largest network of community first responders, emergency vehicles, and hospitals in minutes using technology. ERA’s mission is to ensure that no life is lost due to lack of timely access to emergency care, especially in underserved communities.
