Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 26th November 2024 – Roha Medical Campus (RMC), a $130 million multispecialty hospital under construction in Addis Ababa, has become the first healthcare development in Ethiopia accredited for sustainability under International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group’s, Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) program.
The preliminary certification, granted by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), recognizes RMC’s commitment to minimize ecological impact through its meticulous environment-first design. This reduces energy use by 35%, material embodied energy by 24%, and water usage by 21% compared to conventional healthcare facilities in the region. Roha Advanced Multi-Specialty Hospital’s green features include a thermally activated heating and cooling system, advanced waste management powered by clean technology, a high-performance façade that optimizes natural light, water-saving plumbing solutions, and plans for solar power generation with battery storage.
“Our vision from day one has been to create a healthcare facility that balances today’s medical needs with tomorrow’s environmental responsibilities,” said Welela Haileselassie, General Manager of Roha Medical Campus. “We are committed to redefining healthcare in Africa, and sustainability is at the core of our mission.”
Through its green building, landscape design, sustainable supply chain, and further environmental initiatives, RMC is set to become Ethiopia’s first carbon-neutral hospital. The hospital has already planted a Miyawaki forest of over 12,000 native trees on its campus. This thriving green space will provide a natural healing environment, combat air pollution, lower ambient temperatures, reduce flood risks, buffer noise pollution, and support ecosystems, contributing significantly to RMC’s carbon neutrality targets.
“GBCSA is thrilled to be part of the Roha Advanced Multi-Specialty Hospital’s sustainability journey,” said Lisa Reynolds, CEO of the GBCSA, which serves as accreditor in lieu of a council in Ethiopia. “Not only do we celebrate that this is the first healthcare facility in Ethiopia—with its environment-first design—to receive EDGE certification, we also commend the extra sustainable development steps taken for the project and the surrounds of the project. The planting of the Miyawaki forest surrounding the facility means that it is well on its way towards its carbon neutrality targets. GBCSA lauds the commitment and innovation of this pioneering project.”
With a 350-bed capacity, the hospital will help address a critical shortage of advanced medical facilities in Africa’s second-most populous nation. It will introduce state-of-the-art treatments in orthopedics, neurosurgery, cardiology and oncology, positioning Addis Ababa as a pan-African regional hub for both comprehensive and preventive healthcare.
“We have brought together a team of experts across engineering, architecture, project management and healthcare to create a facility that not only delivers world-class medical services but also sets a new benchmark for green construction in Ethiopia,” said Henry Mutenga, Project Director at RMC.
The sustainability focus will help to strengthen Roha’s positioning within Africa’s $5 billion medical tourism industry, drawing patients and stakeholders from across the continent. “Reducing our carbon footprint is a strategic decision as much as it is an ethical one,” said Brooks Washington, Executive Chairman of Roha Medical Campus. “Lower operational costs allow us to provide affordable, high-quality care.”
In addition to its green building initiatives and its EDGE certification, RMC is committed to become the first hospital in Ethiopia to receive accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI), a globally recognized standard in quality and patient safety.
For photos & videos of the hospital site, please click here.
About Roha Group
Roha Medical Campus is an investment of Roha Group, a US-based investment firm that responsibly builds profitable businesses in Africa by investing in and developing new companies across the continent. Roha Group launches and funds new businesses with large-scale potential by leading their development from origination to maturity. Roha’s unique approach mitigates risk and delivers top-tier returns while creating lasting, sustainable value for the continent. Roha and its partners have invested over $500 million into building new companies in Africa. Roha is a UNPRI signatory, with offices in Africa, the US and Europe.
About EDGE
An innovation of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, EDGE is an online platform, a green building standard and a certification system for more than 170 countries. EDGE was created in response to the need for a measurable solution to prove the financial case for building green and help jumpstart the mainstreaming of green buildings. EDGE empowers building professionals to quickly and easily determine the most cost-effective ways to build green based on occupant behavior, building type and the local climate.
Media contact:
Cydney Bell
press@rohamedicalcampus.com
