We are an African laboratory initiative called iLEAD (Innovation in Laboratory Engineered Accelerated Diagnostics). Our activities promote innovation, novel solutions and social entrepreneurship in the medical diagnostic arena focusing on five themes within the laboratory value chain. These five themes (focus areas) are developed in a phased approach within an innovation pipeline. The focus areas include Patient, Specimen, Transportation, Central Laboratory Testing and System-Wide Connectivity. iLEAD works with the ‘end in mind’ and our success is moving innovations through the pipeline towards implementation for impact on patient care. There are three centres of excellence for iLEAD located in South Africa (Prof Wendy Stevens), Senegal (Prof Soulyemane Mboup) and Mozambique (Dr Ilesh Jani). The initial consortium is supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and we already have projects in the product development pipeline such as biometrics for unique identification to improve linkage to care, specimen logistic solutions, alternative specimen collection and innovations that capitalise on the digital health era. iLEAD invites innovators from across the globe to submit their innovation concepts. The successful incumbents enter the innovation pipeline and their projects are supported by iLEAD’s team of experienced Research & Development Scientists and Project Managers.