A Nigerian healthtech startup, SereniMind, has launched a continent-wide digital campaign aimed at changing how mental wellness is discussed among African youth.
Tagged “Africa Wellness Voices Initiative”, the project is a pan-African effort that uses digital platforms to normalise conversations around mental health and emotional wellbeing. The campaign is designed to engage young people directly and reduce the stigma often associated with mental health discussions.
The founder of SereniMind and coordinator of the campaign, Ridwan Oyenuga, said the initiative focuses on amplifying real voices of young Africans instead of relying only on institutional messaging. According to him, this approach helps to address stigma in a more relatable and effective way.
Oyenuga explained that the campaign features youth leaders, counsellors, advocates, and organisations from different African countries who share daily reflections on resilience, stress, healing, and hope. He said the strategy is to meet young people where they already spend their time — online — by using social media, storytelling, and community participation to drive large-scale awareness.
“Unlike traditional awareness campaigns led solely by institutions, AWVI centres lived experience,” Oyenuga said.
He noted that the digital structure of the campaign has allowed it to spread quickly across borders, creating what he described as a shared continental narrative that mental health is a collective concern and not a personal weakness.
The SereniMind founder added that the initiative represents a new model of youth-led public health advocacy that is decentralised, tech-driven, and culturally grounded.
“Too many young Africans are struggling silently,” he said. “By spotlighting real voices from different countries, we are showing that mental health conversations belong in our communities, our schools and our daily lives.”
Beyond raising awareness, the campaign also highlights the growing role of African healthtech startups in public health communication by combining technology, youth networks, and storytelling.
