Caring Africa, a Nigerian nonprofit focused on technology and policy for the care economy, has been selected for the 2025 Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures program. This global innovation lab highlights ventures that are creating systemic social impact, and Caring Africa stands out as the only care tech initiative from Africa in this year’s cohort.
The organisation was recognised for its flagship platform, Caring Blocks, which connects families with vetted professional caregivers. The platform aims to formalise a traditionally informal and fragmented care economy by introducing tools for identity verification, smart matching, contracts, compliance, and payments. According to Founder and CEO Blessing Adesiyan, the goal is to build digital infrastructure that brings safety, dignity, and efficiency to caregiving services.
Caring Blocks offers a range of services that go beyond caregiver matchmaking. It includes payroll systems, background and health checks, training modules, and customised B2B and B2G solutions for employers and government agencies. By formalising care work—which is often dominated by underpaid, informal female labor—Caring Africa is working to unlock job opportunities while raising care standards across Nigeria and, potentially, the continent.
As part of the program, Caring Africa will receive $500,000 in support—split between a direct investment and a grant—from Morgan Stanley. Over the five-month initiative, the organisation will also gain access to mentorship, investor networks, and global visibility, culminating in a showcase event in February 2026.
With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050, demand for accessible and professional care is expected to surge. Adesiyan emphasizes that only technology-led approaches can meet this growing need at scale. She sees Caring Africa’s selection as a sign that caregiving is being recognised globally as a vital sector for innovation and investment—not just a domestic concern.
Caring Africa’s inclusion in this prestigious program represents a significant milestone, both for the organisation and for the broader African care economy.
