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Clean water, a reliable power supply and cooling systems for medicines and vaccines are still not a given in many rural hospitals in Africa. To address this challenge and improve healthcare in remote regions, the EU has supported the SophiA project (Sustainable Off-grid solutions for Pharmacies and Hospitals in Africa) with €7.4 million in funding. 13 European partners are working together to develop innovative, solar-powered container solutions that provide CO2-neutral energy, clean drinking water and advanced cooling technologies – sustainably strengthening medical infrastructure in Africa.
Access to reliable healthcare remains a challenge in many rural parts of Africa, where limited electricity and clean water compromise medical services. The Horizon 2020 SophiA project has spent the past years tackling this issue head-on, providing solar-powered solutions designed specifically for remote healthcare facilities. The project received EU Funding of 7.4 million Euro from 10/2021 – 09/2025.
Transforming rural healthcare with solar energy
Across sub-Saharan Africa, roughly a quarter of healthcare facilities operate without electricity and only 28% report reliable power. Without energy and clean water, hospitals struggle to store vaccines, sterilise surgical tools or provide basic medical services safely. SophiA sought to change this by developing modular systems capable of delivering refrigeration, water purification and steam generation entirely via solar power.
These systems, tailored for the unique conditions of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi and Uganda, use a combination of photovoltaics and solar thermal technology. Low-temperature thermal storage and high-temperature energy storage ensure continuous operation even when sunlight is intermittent. The systems preserve vaccines, blood plasma and other temperature-sensitive medical supplies, while also providing deionised and hot water for medical use.
Practical innovations meeting daily healthcare needs
Alongside its modular hospital systems, SophiA also developed two innovations designed to expand the reach and practicality of solar-powered healthcare.
The project introduced the PVmedPort, a stand-alone, solar-powered unit designed for mobile vaccination and outreach campaigns. Equipped with refrigeration and shaded seating, it operates as an autonomous care station, extending healthcare beyond hospital walls.
The PVsteamCube, developed by Simply Solar uses photovoltaic electricity to heat a metal block up to 400°C, storing energy to generate steam on demand for autoclaves, laundry and kitchens. Beyond sterilisation, it enables hospitals to prepare meals and hot drinks, a feature highly appreciated and even used during the inauguration in place of catering.
Crucially, the SophiA-generated systems have been designed to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, eliminating the need for major structural changes to hospital buildings, says project coordinator Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Kauffeld, University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe.
Collaborative innovation across continents
SophiA brought together engineers, scientists, social researchers and public health officials from Europe and Africa. African partners played leading roles in manufacturing, local training and social acceptance, while European partners contributed with complementary technical expertise and project coordination.
Despite logistical challenges such as navigating customs regulations and global supply chain disruptions, the consortium succeeded in delivering functioning systems across four pilot hospitals.
Reflecting on success
SophiA’s final consortium meeting took place in Karlsruhe, Germany, on 17–18 September 2025. Participants celebrated the project’s achievements and discussed future opportunities for sustainable healthcare across Africa.
Healthcare representatives shared first-hand experiences from SophiA installations, citing improvements such as reliable access to clean water, safer conditions for surgery, lower infant mortality and reduced energy costs in hospital kitchens. Moreover, training initiatives were highlighted as vital to ensuring long-term sustainability and empowering local communities.
Partners addressed challenges encountered during implementation and outlined policy recommendations to support wider adoption of off-grid, sustainable technologies. Funding and post-project opportunities were also discussed, including potential expansion through carbon market initiatives and upcoming EU funding opportunities.
A session on the next generation of professionals showcased the importance of training young technicians and supporting women in the sector. Awards and certificates were presented to early-career leaders, women engineers and training participants, celebrating the human capacity built alongside technological innovation.
Role of Steinbeis Europa Zentrum as project partner
Steinbeis Europa Zentrum played a key role in supporting the exploitation of project results and managing intellectual property rights. Through targeted strategy development workshops, project partners were prepared for the commercialisation of the developed technologies. This includes identifying IP rights and exploitation opportunities, developing protection strategies for innovative solutions, and creating an exploitation matrix and individual business models. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum also supported the 13 project partners with administrative and financial project management.
Looking Ahead
As SophiA concludes, the focus shifts to sustaining and expanding its impact. Installations in Malawi and Uganda are being completed, and the consortium is exploring ways to continue the project’s work, potentially through a future SophiA II project.
SophiA offers a compelling model for leveraging clean energy to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improve patient outcomes and support sustainable development in Africa. Its legacy demonstrates that innovative, locally adapted technologies, combined with strong cross-continental collaboration, can create lasting change.
SophiA runs from 10/2021 – 09/2025 and comprises 13 partners from Europe (France, Germany, Switzerland) and Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Africa and Uganda): : University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe (HKA - IKKU; Project coordinator); Eastern Switzerland University; Makerere University; Institut International d'Ingénierie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement; Steinbeis Europa Zentrum; Ministry of Public Health Kamerun; International Institute of Refrigeration; Operieren in Afrika; Everflo; Kovco; Martin Systems GmbH; Simply Solar GbR; Raach Solar.
SophiA is among the 14 projects featured in the CORDIS Africa-EU collaboration Results Pack , showcasing real-world examples of the Africa–EU partnership in action. Sections of this article were adapted from this CORDIS publication.
Contact:
Dr. Frederick von Netzer
Phone: +49 721 935191 52
Email: frederick.vonnetzer@steinbeis-europa.de
Sophie von Stralendorff
Phone: +49 721 935191 20
Email: sophie.vonstralendorff@steinbeis-europa.de
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Michael Kauffeld, Hochschule Karlsruhe
https://sophia4africa.eu/ - Website
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sophia4africa/ - LinkedIn
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ImLr_7q-qsrJy2zKi5PEA - YouTube
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Energie, Ernährung / Gesundheit / Pflege, Gesellschaft, Medizin
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