Gavi expands US$28 million Health Facility Solarisation Project with inauguration of first facility in Zambia

Zambia has become the first country to inaugurate a solar clinic as part of Gavi’s Health Facility Solar Electrification (HFSE) programme to power 250 clinics across the country.

With a commitment of approximately $28 million in funding, the HFSE initiative will deploy 5-8kWp solar photovoltaic systems and cold chain equipment (CCE) in 1,277 health facilities across four countries: Zambia, Ethiopia, Pakistan and Uganda. Gavi has contributed significantly to the rollout of solar-powered cold chain equipment through the Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP). However, fridges alone aren’t enough. This pilot tests whether that model can be scaled to fully solarize health facilities by powering lights, equipment, and digital tools. If successful, it could unlock co-investment and long-term government support for maintenance, ensuring sustainability.

By June 2026, once the project is complete, an estimated 25million people living in the catchment areas of the newly solarised health facilities will benefit from an increased range of services such as expanded access to immunisation services and availability of clean water. This includes 1.3million people in Zambia. One in four health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity, and two in three lack reliable energy services—contributing to vaccine potency risks, delayed emergency care, and suboptimal maternal facilities that compromise the safety of mothers and newborns.

The solarisation of health facilities marks a major step forward in bringing clean, renewable energy to communities. For the first time, clinics that once lacked generators, night-time services, and life-saving equipment now have reliable power to operate around the clock. This ensures that health workers can provide safe, effective care day and night, and that vaccines and critical equipment remain protected. By strengthening health systems, these countries are not only enhancing community resilience but also contributing to climate resilience at a time when extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent.

“In places where one in four health facilities have no electricity, solarisation is more than a technical fix, it is a lifeline,” said Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi. “With $28 million in Gavi support, we’re powering 1,277 clinics across four countries, starting with Zambia. This means vaccines stay in the right temperature, babies are born safely, and health workers can care for patients day and night. It’s a bold step toward climate-smart, people-centered healthcare, and Zambia is leading the way.”

HFSE is designed as a learning agenda under Gavi’s broader Cold Chain Equipment Optimisation Platform (CCEOP), generating evidence and insights to inform future investments in sustainable energy solutions for health systems. This initiative addresses critical energy gaps that hinder vaccine storage, essential medical services, and maternal and child health care in remote and underserved areas. Ultimately, HFSE supports countries in delivering life-saving vaccines and essential health services to the most vulnerable populations, helping to close equity gaps and advance progress toward universal health coverage.

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