Norah Magero, a Mechanical Engineer and Renewable Energy Expert has dedicated over seven years to tackling energy access challenges in Africa. As the founder of Drop Access and project lead of VacciBox, Magero has developed a solution to one of the continent’s most pressing issues: the lack of reliable cold chain infrastructure for vaccines. VacciBox is a solar-powered, IoT-enabled cold storage unit designed to safely store and transport vaccines, medicines, and food, ensuring that vital immunisations reach those in need, especially in rural communities.
Magero’s drive to innovate stems from both personal and professional experiences. While facing difficulties accessing medical supplies for her newborn child in a rural area, she became very aware of communities’ healthcare challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of reliable infrastructure has led to cold chain failures, resulting in wasted vaccines and lost immunisation opportunities. In Africa, up to 50% of vaccines are wasted annually due to improper cold chain management, leading to preventable deaths and widespread health disparities.
The consequences of the cold chain gap are severe, affecting nearly 1.09 billion people at high risk due to the lack of cooling systems. Additionally, 30 million people suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases each year, resulting in 500,000 fatalities. Inadequate cold chain infrastructure also contributes to losing 526 million tonnes of food annually, exacerbating food insecurity. If appropriately preserved, this food could feed 950 million people, emphasising the urgent need for solutions to these systemic challenges.
Existing cold chain solutions have progressed but often fail to address rural and off-grid regions’ unique needs. In these areas, unreliable electricity and poor transportation infrastructure hinder the distribution of vaccines and medical supplies. Sometimes, healthcare workers rely on manual record-keeping, further complicating vaccine distribution and resulting in gaps in immunisation coverage. For example, one in three children remains inadequately vaccinated in Kenya, a trend mirrored across the continent.
To address these challenges, Magero and her team developed VacciBox, a portable cold storage unit powered by solar energy. With a backup battery to ensure continuous operation, even in regions with unreliable electricity, VacciBox can be mounted on motorbikes, bicycles, or boats, making it ideal for areas with poor infrastructure. Equipped with IoT technology, VacciBox allows healthcare providers to monitor and manage temperature remotely, reducing the risk of spoiled vaccines and ensuring reliable access to life-saving immunisations.
The impact of VacciBox is already being felt in rural areas. In Kenya, healthcare workers using the technology have seen a 15% boost in vaccine distribution productivity, translating into improved health outcomes. Norah Magero aims to expand VacciBox across Africa, empowering communities to take more control over their health. VacciBox is enhancing healthcare delivery and enabling communities to manage their well-being more effectively by bridging cold chain gaps.
Norah Magero is tackling one of Africa’s most critical healthcare challenges through her work. VacciBox is transforming healthcare by improving vaccine distribution and addressing broader issues like food loss and economic productivity. As VacciBox expands, it will continue to revolutionise healthcare in off-grid regions, helping Africa move toward a healthier, more resilient future.
