Kylian Mbappé-Backed Health Startup Alan Expands to West Africa Through Strategic Acquisition of Tanel
French health startup Alan, backed by global investment powerhouse Prosus and French football superstar Kylian Mbappé, is leveraging its fresh capital reserves to acquire Senegalese digital insurer Tanel—marking a major expansion into West Africa’s fast-growing healthcare market.
The takeover comes shortly after Alan secured a funding round that elevated its valuation to €5.5 billion. Having initially backed Tanel during its seed stage, Alan’s acquisition seamlessly integrates the Dakar-based firm’s operations into its broader global vision.
Scaling Digital Health Infrastructure Beyond European Borders
Founded a decade ago, Alan has grown into a dominant digital health insurer serving over one million members across France, Spain, Belgium, and Canada. The company offers corporate healthcare plans to major employers, including Volkswagen Spain and France’s Ministry of Finance, generating over €840 million in annual recurring revenue.
By acquiring Tanel, Alan immediately extends its footprint into Francophone West Africa. Tanel brings an established corporate clientele—including ride-hailing app Yango and fast-food leader KFC—covering more than 70,000 policyholders across Senegal and Ivory Coast.
A Rare Healthcare Exit for African Venture Capital Investors
The acquisition represents a significant exit milestone for early-stage African technology investors. Nigeria-based venture firm Ventures Platform and Japan’s healthcare-focused fund AAIC both backed Tanel during its initial growth phases, making this deal a noteworthy liquidity event within the continent’s healthtech ecosystem.
Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, Chief Executive Officer of Alan, noted that a year and a half of close collaboration with the Tanel leadership team confirmed operational alignment, paving the way for a smooth entry into the region’s healthcare sector.
Rebranding and Strategic Roadmap for Pan-African Expansion
Under the terms of the transaction, Tanel will fully rebrand as Alan. CEO Mouhamed Ndoye and co-founder Makhtar Diop will continue leading local operations while steering the health startup’s long-term growth strategy across Africa.
While Tanel initially planned to raise a standalone Series A round, leadership recognized that joining forces with Alan offered greater resources to build comprehensive digital health services. Looking ahead, the newly combined team plans to expand beyond Senegal and Ivory Coast into major English-speaking markets across West and East Africa.
