The Mohammed VI International University Hospital Complex in Rabat has officially made environmental history in Africa. On Thursday, January 29, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health celebrated a groundbreaking achievement: the complex received a double “Exceptional” HQE certification, awarded by French organization CERTIVEA. This marks a first for both Morocco and the continent, establishing a new benchmark in sustainable healthcare infrastructure.
During an official ceremony, the prestigious certifications were handed to Professor Youns Bjijou, Deputy Director of the Foundation. The university hospital and its affiliated medical school are now the first institutions in Africa to earn this level of international recognition for their leadership in sustainability, energy efficiency, and renewable energy integration.
From its inception, the project was designed not only as a center of medical excellence but also as a model of environmental responsibility. Spanning 280,000 square meters, the complex houses 600 beds, with the capacity to expand to 1,000, and includes over 30 specialized departments, 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms, and a university dedicated to health sciences education. Completed in just 24 months, the entire site was built to meet the most demanding international standards while prioritizing the well-being of both patients and healthcare staff.
Environmental performance was woven into the project from the ground up. The Foundation made deliberate choices early on to adopt sustainable practices, from maximizing solar energy use and installing high-performance thermal insulation, to deploying 8,800 square meters of photovoltaic panels. These solar systems now generate more than 10% of the hospital’s energy needs and have cut its carbon emissions by 40%.
The “Exceptional” HQE certification validates this ambitious approach. It recognizes not only the complex’s seamless integration into its natural surroundings but also its rigorous management of resources, controlled energy consumption, sustainable water usage, strict hospital waste sorting, infectious risk prevention, and the reliability of critical infrastructure.
Few healthcare projects of this scale have reached such environmental heights. This international distinction positions the Mohammed VI University Hospital Complex as a national flagship for sustainable development in healthcare. It reflects the Foundation’s commitment to driving a transformation in how medical facilities are designed and operated—turning them into responsible centers of excellence.
The project’s impact goes far beyond its environmental footprint. It’s already created thousands of jobs, fueled economic growth, and aligned itself with Morocco’s broader energy transition goals. Through this achievement, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health is signaling a bold ambition: to develop a new generation of hospitals and university campuses that are not only high-performing and sustainable but also deeply rooted in the communities they serve.
