Read the Conversation
Conversation highlights:
- Expanding African Presence: Boston Scientific continues to expand its footprint across the African continent, reinforcing its global mission to transform lives through meaningful innovation.
- Regional Operations Hubs: With a growing commercial presence in key African regions, offices in Johannesburg and Cairo support operations in Southern and North Africa, enhancing regional responsiveness.
- Advancing Patient Care: These regional anchors underscore Boston Scientific’s commitment to advancing science for life and improving patient outcomes through minimally invasive medical technologies, offering a comprehensive portfolio that addresses unmet patient needs.
- Leadership in Medical Specialties: Boston Scientific holds leadership positions in cardiovascular and endoscopic care across Africa.
- Navigating Africa’s Healthcare Landscape: Tarek El Rahbani shares insights on patient access to therapies and highlights the evolving healthcare landscape, noting both complexities and opportunities.
- Investing in Local Capacity: Boston Scientific actively invests in education, training, and local partnerships to strengthen healthcare delivery.
- Experienced Strategic Leadership: Tarek El Rahbani draws from over 25 years in the MedTech industry to shape a localized yet globally aligned strategy for Africa.
EF: Could you elaborate on Boston Scientific's regional footprint and role? What are your current priorities for the region?
TER: We’re strategically expanding - investing in partnerships, infrastructure, and talent to make sure patients across Africa have access to the latest medical innovations. South Africa is particularly strategic - it’s our second-largest market in the MENA region and a key launchpad for broader Sub-Saharan engagement.
For over two decades, Boston Scientific has been dedicated to supporting patients and healthcare professionals in South Africa. Today, our focus is on broadening Access to minimally invasive, high-impact technologies that can improve outcomes and optimize healthcare delivery.
EF: Could you elaborate on your recent visit to South Africa?
TER: I travel to South Africa every quarter. We have a strong team of over 120 employees centered around our office in Johannesburg.
On my latest visit, I toured Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospitals. At both, I saw our technologies in action - particularly our SpyGlass™ system, which helps doctors to see inside the biliary and pancreatic ducts in real-time. It helps reduce repeat procedures and improve diagnostic accuracy, which is critical in under-resourced environments.
I also observed our Farapulse™ Pulsed Field Ablation therapy being used to treat atrial fibrillation, marking an important step forward in advancing cardiac rhythm care in the region. Seeing patients benefit from such advanced technologies in Africa is a clear reminder of why we do what we do.
EF: You mentioned many African countries when referencing Boston Scientific's footprint; how are you looking into each region? How do you organize your objectives for the continent?
TER: Africa is vast and diverse, so prioritization is key. That’s why we take a hub-based approach. Our North Africa operations are led from Egypt, while South Africa anchors our presence in the south. These teams also support Sub-Saharan Africa, allowing us to be agile and regionally responsive.
We look at two things when prioritizing: where we can make the most impact, and where the infrastructure exists to deliver therapies safely and effectively. Many patients across Africa still face barriers to accessing advanced medical care, which is why we’re working closely with local providers to deploy scalable treatment solutions.
In parallel, we tailor our solutions based on clinical needs, reimbursement pathways, and local capabilities.
EF: Boston Scientific acts locally but operates globally to bring solutions to Africa. Could you elaborate on your product portfolio and how it has evolved and adapted specifically to Africa?
TER: Absolutely. At Boston Scientific, our commitment is clear: to deliver innovative, clinically meaningful therapies to patients—wherever they are in the world. That includes adapting our global capabilities to meet the most pressing specific needs of African healthcare systems.
In 2024 alone, we launched nearly 100 new products globally and invested approximately $1.6 billion in research and development. That investment reflects not just innovation, but a commitment to access—ensuring our technologies reach more patients in more places. Last year, we helped improve the lives of over 44 million people worldwide.
Our portfolio is broad, covering multiple therapy areas to address complex medical conditions. In cardiology, we’ve introduced high-performing therapies, like cardiac rhythm management and ablation systems. These are already making a difference in South African institutions.
We also support the treatment of peripheral vascular disease and certain cancers through our peripheral interventions business, offering devices for precise diagnosis and less invasive therapies. In endoscopy, our solutions help physicians manage gastrointestinal and airway conditions using minimally invasive tools that improve patient recovery and outcomes.
We’re also seeing strong demand in urology and pelvic health, particularly around stone disease, men’s and women’s health. Chronic pain management is another area where our neuromodulation technologies are gaining ground, providing people with a better quality of life.
Ultimately, our goal isn’t just to bring products to market - it’s to deliver long-term value. By listening to the needs of African clinicians and patients, we ensure that our global innovation translates into meaningful local impact.
EF: Is your product portfolio driven by the public or the private sector? What is your perception of the different market strategies for your innovative portfolio?
TER: It depends on the market. In many African countries, the public sector is still our largest customer. But we’re seeing consistent growth in the private space, especially where patients are more involved in care decisions.
Each market has its own dynamics, budgets, infrastructure, and insurance coverage. That’s why we engage early with payers, clinicians, and policymakers to build a strategy that’s sustainable and inclusive.
EF: What does “access to therapíes” mean to you? What is your definition of access?
TER: To me, access means patients getting the care they need - when and where they need it.
In Africa, that journey starts with regulatory approval, which can be a challenge, and that can delay market entry. Once we’re in the market, we focus on building a reliable supply chain and working with the right partners.
Reimbursement is equally critical. Without it, even available therapies remain out of reach. In South Africa, for instance, private medical schemes can limit who gets access based on how a therapy is funded. That’s why we launched the Patient Authorization Support Program, which helps patients and providers navigate private payer approvals. In 2024, we achieved a 96% reimbursement approval rate—which means more people getting the treatment they need, faster.
EF: By your admission, education and training are crucial. What initiatives are you pursuing to advance your extremely innovative portfolio?
TER: Education is the bridge between innovation and real-world impact. That’s why we offer healthcare professionals access to robust educational programs and global innovation centers designed to elevate clinical knowledge and advance procedural skills.
In South Africa, we’ve established an Institute for Advancing Science (IAS) – a dedicated training center for healthcare professionals, equipped with simulators and digital tools. Clinicians receive expert guidance and can test our devices in a controlled setting.
We’ve also set up Centers of Excellence across Sub-Saharan Africa in collaboration with top hospitals. These sites bring physicians together to share best practices, observe live cases, and build regional expertise.
Ultimately, technology is only as powerful as the hands that use it. Training supports confidence, safety, and long-term value.
EF: Regarding your leadership style and managing multiple countries that present different challenges, how do you keep your teams engaged?
TER: It starts with people. We prioritize hiring local high-performing talents as they bring deep cultural and operational insight. It also supports economic development and inclusion.
At Boston Scientific, diversity is more than a core value - it’s a competitive advantage. We create a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. We work continually to make Boston Scientific an employer of choice, where employees have opportunities to reach their full potential. That’s why candidates often tell me they’re drawn to our organization because of the environment we’ve built.
Personally, I’ve always been inspired by Boston Scientific leadership - humble, people-first, and mission-driven. That mindset is what keeps our teams aligned, even across borders.
EF: The management appears to have evolved since the pandemic, becoming very elastic in the last five years.
TER: Working in this region has always been my personal aspiration. Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to roles where growth is a central theme, and emerging markets continue to offer unmatched opportunities. The pandemic accelerated many changes—especially in how we communicate and support clinicians remotely. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of trust and human connection.
Even as we adopt new technologies, we never lose sight of the relationships that underpin this work. That’s what makes leadership in this region so fulfilling—it’s equal parts strategy and heart.
EF: Finally, as an advocate for emerging markets, which are dynamic, diverse, and with much growth potential, why is investing in African healthcare a smart move?
TER: Africa is home to over a billion people - many of them young, ambitious, and seeking better healthcare.
The need is clear. South Africa is navigating a unique healthcare landscape - addressing both infectious diseases and a rising burden of chronic conditions. This evolving context is creating new opportunities for innovation and collaborative solutions that can strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes.
When you invest in healthcare here, you don’t just treat individual patients - you strengthen systems, build communities, and create long-term impact. It’s not about short-term gains. It’s about building trust, delivering results, and making a real difference, which reinforces our long-term commitment to the region.
