We proudly celebrate Dr Amit N. Thakker, Executive Chairman of our partner Africa Health Business (AHB), on receiving the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S.), one of Kenya’s highest civilian state honours.
The E.B.S. is awarded by the President of Kenya in recognition of distinguished and outstanding service to the nation in various fields, such as public service, leadership, business, health, education, or community development.
A visionary healthcare entrepreneur and continental leader, Dr Thakker’s impact spans over three decades. He began his career as a clinician at Kenyatta National Hospital and went on to found Avenue Healthcare in 1994 – now one of Kenya’s leading private healthcare providers. A strong advocate for private sector engagement in health, he also served as a founding director and later Chairman of the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF), where he steered efforts to strengthen public-private collaboration and shape health policy.
His influence extends far beyond Kenya. In 2015, he co-founded AHB, a Nairobi-based consultancy and investment firm that supports governments, development partners, and private entities in over 39 African countries. His leadership on the regional and continental stage is equally impactful. He was instrumental in establishing the East Africa Healthcare Federation (EAHF) in 2012 and spearheaded the formation of the Africa Healthcare Federation (AHF) in 2016, which unites all five regions of Africa under one platform to drive policy advocacy, investment, and regulatory alignment in healthcare.
“We are only as strong as the systems we build to care for our people. This award inspires me to push further, dream bigger, and continue working with partners to elevate healthcare across Africa. Indeed collaboration is the new innovation”
— Dr Amit N. Thakker
The conferment of the E.B.S. is a fitting recognition of Dr Thakker’s visionary leadership, tireless dedication, and transformative contributions to health systems across Africa.
We extend our warmest congratulations on this well-deserved national honour – a true pioneer and captain of industry in African healthcare.
