Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA) in Mozambique

The Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA) is Power Africa’s flagship initiative to enhance health system resilience by expanding energy access and internet connectivity for health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa. In Mozambique, HETA works with public and private sector partners to design and deploy market-based renewable energy and digital connectivity solutions for healthcare.

BACKGROUND

Reliable power remains a challenge for sustaining the provision of essential health services in Mozambique. Many health facilities experience gaps in electricity, which also hinders their digital connectivity and access to information to sustain HIV epidemic control, reduces supply chain visibility for antiretroviral drug distribution, and can weaken lab infrastructure. These gaps can also limit the expansion of differentiated service delivery models that keep people enrolled in HIV treatment.

HETA, led by Abt Associates, builds on progress made through programs such as the USAID Efficiencies for Clinical HIV Outcomes (ECHO) project and seeks to amplify ongoing investments in the health system. Our work seeks to develop durable public-private partnerships and business models that support the installation of energy and connectivity systems and secure long-term funding for operations and maintenance (O&M)—a key challenge for the sustainability of renewable energy access for health.

Power Africa and USAID Mozambique provide funding to support HETA’s work, convene local partners and stakeholders, and catalyze leverage contributions to extend HETA’s reach and impact. HETA’s work supports the Government of Mozambique and USAID’s priorities for electrification and connectivity as essential elements of a strong health system. We are proud to work with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, development partners and public and private sector partners.

APPROACH

As we begin work in Mozambique, HETA is solidifying local partnerships to ensure our solutions respond to the needs and priorities of health facilities and the communities they serve. The initial HETA portfolio in Mozambique emphasizes solarization and connection to internet services for health facilities in Manica Province, in collaboration with USAID ECHO. HETA will expand to other provinces as more partnerships and funding are developed and secured. Our initial activities include:

• Assessing the market and building an investment pipeline to prioritize health facilities for
• HETA’s support, in collaboration with funding partners
• Partnering with solar energy companies and digital solutions providers to co-create promising models for improved health facility electrification and telecommunications access
• Exploring off-grid funding and other private financing opportunities to expand current investments in renewable energy for health facilities and secure sustainable O&M of the systems

Through these efforts, HETA is co-creating customized, locally led business models with built-in O&M plans so health facilities will have reliable energy access and digital connectivity well into the future. Investments in HETA also contribute to USAID’s integrated approach to confront the climate crisis.

ANTICIPATED RESULTS

• Increased access to reliable, renewable energy and digital connectivity in health facilities
• Increased multisectoral partnerships for HFE implementation
• Increased quantity and diversity of resources to accelerate HFE and digital connectivity
• Demonstrated sustainability of inclusive business models for O&M of the installed systems
• Increased women’s and youth employment in renewable energy and telecommunications sectors
• Reduced and avoided greenhouse gas emissions