An Electrifying Partnership Transforms Healthcare in the DRC

4 April 2025

Access to reliable energy continues to be a significant challenge for healthcare facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Thanks to the ECollectif project – an innovative partnership between Santé Monde and the Quebec-based company Ecosolaris – several health centers are now experiencing a remarkable transformation powered by solar energy.

Solar Energy Serving Healthcare

Supported by the Government of Quebec, ECollectif enhances community resilience to climate change by ensuring sustainable access to clean, renewable energy.

The success of this initiative relies on a partnership with the private sector, where local expertise plays a key role. A Congolese company, with Ecosolaris’ backing, installs solar power systems in healthcare facilities selected in collaboration with the Provincial Health Division of Kinshasa.

At its halfway point, ECollectif has already brought electricity to three facilities:

Kinkosi Referral Health Center (CSR), in a peri-urban area
Menkao Referral Health Center (CSR), in a rural setting
Menkao Health Center (CS), added to the project thanks to surplus energy generated by the neighboring CSR

These installations provide essential services such as lighting, refrigeration for blood banks and vaccines, and ventilation. At CSR Kinkosi, electricity access has even allowed the reactivation of the water system.

Transforming Healthcare Quality

“Light is safety,” says the zone’s chief medical officer. This simple statement sums up the significant impact the project has had on healthcare teams and patients alike.

Fabrice Madinga, head nurse at CS Menkao, shares: “We now work with peace of mind. In the past, deliveries were conducted in darkness, and we administered injections in the dark. Today, we can sterilize equipment, keep newborns warm, and assist deliveries with much lower risk.”

Patients also notice the difference. Nancy Kasandi, a patient at CSR Menkao, compares her recent experience with giving birth in 2013: “Back then, there was no light. We relied on flashlights. Now, access to sanitation facilities is easier because there is lighting everywhere.”

“The power never goes out. It is constant and stable,” marvels Esther, proudly holding her baby born at the CSR Kinkosi. In a context where power outages are extremely frequent, the reliability provided by solar energy is noticeable and, above all, greatly appreciated!

Broader Benefits

In addition to enhancing healthcare conditions, ECollectif delivers economic advantages. By eliminating the need for generator fuel, partner health centers can lower operating costs and offer more affordable care to the local population.

Vision for 2025

The project’s ambitions extend well beyond its current achievements. In the coming year, ECollectif plans to:

Train local technicians in maintaining and repairing solar systems
Support a women’s group in developing income-generating activities using solar energy
Electrify the third healthcare facility identified during the initial assessment phase

Ultimately, ECollectif will enable hundreds of thousands of people to access more resilient and efficient healthcare structures in the Province of Kinshasa.

ECollectif is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of Quebec, through the International Climate Cooperation Program, which stems from the 2030 Green Economy Plan.