IFC and the World Bank have reached key milestones toward transforming the off-grid lighting market in Africa following a conference in Nairobi, Kenya that attracted over 600 participants and 50 exhibitors.
The second Lighting Africa conference showcased a number of innovative off-grid lighting products and took steps toward establishing a sector association for the off-grid lighting industry in Africa.
Symbolizing the growth and professionalization of the sector, 21 stakeholders signed a letter of intent to establish an international association for the off-grid lighting sector.
“The conference has virtually created a new sector," said Ellen Morris from Arc Finance, one of the participants. "It brought together a great variety of practitioners from international lighting manufacturers and local distributors, such as local farming organizations, and investors that you never get to meet in one place. I felt there was a great openness and focus on resolving the issues at hand.”
Solutions for millions
Lighting Africa was established to mobilize the global lighting industry to help entrepreneurs develop off-grid, non-fuel based lighting solutions for the millions of Africans who lack access to reliable light and to reduce barriers to the expansion of the off-grid lighting market.
Lighting Africa supports the private sector to develop, accelerate, and sustain the market for modern off-grid lighting technologies
Its activities target market barriers undermining the commercial uptake of non-fuel based off-grid lighting technologies. The program is working to overcome these barriers by providing support in the areas of product quality assurance, market intelligence, consumer education, access to finance, targeted business support as well as policy and public sector operations.
New products
Only a few years ago, there were very few products specifically developed for the African market. Today, Lighting Africa works with 50 manufacturers that offer over 70 such products. Now there is a wide variety of quality products priced between $25-$50, and a growing number of good products under $25.
An awards ceremony at the Nairobi conference recognized those innovative products that are best able to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective lighting to millions of Africans.
For details, see the fact box below:
Lighting Africa Awards |
| Outstanding Products available in Africa Lighting Africa held an Outstanding Product Awards ceremony on May 18, 2010 to recognize the best quality, affordable off grid lighting products. 30 products were tested. Seven of them passed the test and five won the awards in four categories:
o 2nd Place: Barefoot Power - Firefly 12 LED
o 2nd Place: D.light Design - Nova S200
o 2nd Place: Sun Transfer - Sun Transfer 2
o 2nd Place: Greenlight Planet - Sun King |
For more Information contact:
Antoine Guy Patrick Massoloka
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: Amassoloka@ifc.org
