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Lighting Africa Conference 2010
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 04:05.
<div style="font-family: Tahoma;"><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); text-align: center;">Lighting Africa Newsletter - September 2009</div><p style="font-size: medium;"><em>The Lighting Africa newsletter is a briefing on the latest developments in the program. It is provided to all organizations and individual members participating in the Lighting Africa consortium. For comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact the Lighting Africa Program Team at </em> <a href="javascript:location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(115,117,112,112,111,114,116,64,108,105,103,104,116,105,110,103,97,102,114,105,99,97,46,111,114,103)+'?'">support@lightingafrica.com</a></p><h3><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Top Stories</span></h3><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Good industry response prompts Lighting Africa to announce additional awards for promising new products</span><br /></strong><img width="133" height="99" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/one.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />Entries for Lighting Africa’s Outstanding Product Awards 2010 competition closed on Friday, October 2, 2009 to good response by the industry. Collected samples will soon undergo the required lab and field tests and participating manufacturers will be contacted as needed during the evaluation and judging processes. We look forward to announcing the winners in May 2010, at the Lighting Africa 2010 Global Business Conference and Trade Fair, in Nairobi, Kenya. Since the off-grid lighting market is characterized by rapid innovation and change, Lighting Africa is interested to recognize promising new products not yet available but scheduled to enter the African markets by early 2010. To achieve this, the program has developed an honorary “Promising New Products" awards. Interested manufacturers with such products in the pipeline should visit the <a href="http://www.lightingafrica.org/awards">Lighting Africa website</a> for additional information.</p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><div><img alt="" style="width: 600px; height: 11px;" src="http://lightingafrica.org/files/newsletter/newsletter_divider.jpg" /></div><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Lighting Africa makes a push to boost the circulation of non-grid lighting products in Kenya</span></strong><br /><img width="160" height="119" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/photo_two.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />Lighting Africa is building the capacities of its members to develop the market of non-grid lighting products in Kenya. On September 30, 2009, Lighting Africa addressed three challenges that impede market growth: products clearance by customs, access to finance and knowledge of consumer needs. Approximately 40 Kenya-based distributors and manufacturers took part to a workshop organized by the program to discuss these issues. Customs officials were invited to sensitize participants on the tariff regimes (procedures, tax exemptions, duties, VAT) associated with the import and production of LEDs and solar-based lighting appliances. IFC presented its investment funds and business development services available through the Small-business Solution Center (SSC) in Kenya. The Lighting Africa team used this opportunity to share the findings of its market research (Phase 4) that tested the everyday-life utilization of lighting products by users in Kenyan homes.<a href="http://www.ghanasolarindustries.com/">Read more</a></p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><div><img alt="" style="width: 600px; height: 11px;" src="http://lightingafrica.org/files/newsletter/newsletter_divider.jpg" /></div><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Mark your calendars! Lighting Africa's Global Business Conference & Trade Fair 2010</span><br /></strong><img width="176" height="118" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/Newsletter3.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />One of the biggest events of its kind in Africa, Lighting Africa’s Global Business Conference & Trade Fair for off-grid lighting will be held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya on May 18-20, 2010. Over 500 participants are expected to attend from across Africa and around the world. They will include delegates from the global non-grid lighting industry, private developers, energy service companies, equipment and service vendors, financial institutions, bilateral and multilateral organizations, senior policy makers, endusers, academia, and others. The first Lighting Africa Conference was held in May 2008, in Accra, Ghana <a href="http://www.lightingafrica.org/node/414">Watch here for updates</a>.</p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><div><img alt="" style="width: 600px; height: 11px;" src="http://lightingafrica.org/files/newsletter/newsletter_divider.jpg" /></div><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">A targeted Lighting Africa study about to tackel recurrent bottlenecks on policies and regulations</span></strong><br />Lighting Africa is preparing a study that will identify key policy and regulatory constraints to the penetration and the development of low-cost off-grid lighting technologies in eight countries: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania. The scope of the research covers customs, taxes, administrative procedures and regulatory standards perceived as inadequate. The study will propose relevant solutions for each country and recommend the best way to engage with the respective governments. In order to catalog recurring constraints and orient researches, Lighting Africa will survey its members in these eight countries to identify the key bottlenecks they are experiencing. The survey will be available on the Lighting Africa website as of mid-October 2009.</p><h3><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Market News</span></h3><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">D.Light, a member of the LA Network, is reportedly achieving inroads in Uganda and Tanzania</span><br /></strong><img width="129" height="130" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/newsletter4.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />A manufacturer of non-grid lighting products established in Tanzania, D.Light, has recently appointed UltraTec Limited as its distribution agent in Uganda. UltraTec Ltd, established in 1999, specializes in renewable energy and lighting products, and represents many international manufacturers in Uganda. It will distribute D.Light lamps via their franchise network and traditional distribution channels throughout Uganda. In Tanzania, D.Light’s Nova S200 is reportedly meeting a growing success, especially in rural areas. According to a D.Light representative, the high demand owes to the product’s affordability and additional functionalities such as the ability to recharge mobile phones.<a href="http://www.dlightdesign.com"> Read more</a></p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><h3><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Resources & useful links</span></h3><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">IFC's 2009 Annual Report is out - The need for a job and a chance for a better life is urgent</span><br /></strong><img width="138" height="102" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/newsletter5.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />As many as 50 million people could lose their jobs in 2009 amid the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Extreme poverty is expected to retain its hold on more than 50 million people who otherwise might have escaped it. IFC, the largest global development institution focused on the private sector, is playing a central role in efforts to build the foundation for a durable recovery. In helping our clients succeed, we are carrying out a vital mission—to create opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. The 2009 Annual Report tells their/our story. <a href="http://www.ifc.org/annualreport">Read more</a></p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><div><img alt="" style="width: 600px; height: 11px;" src="http://lightingafrica.org/files/newsletter/newsletter_divider.jpg" /></div><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Two Lighting Africa partners - GTZ and FISE - provide a shade of light on solar lanterns in Africa</span><br /></strong><img width="96" height="109" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/oneworld.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />Following their research on solar lanterns currently available on the Sub-Saharan Africa market, 12 innovative and promising models were selected for technical examination and tested by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (FISE) in Germany. A key finding of the research is that there are still too few solar-powered lanterns that meet the required technical criteria when tested in laboratory. This examination is the preliminary stage of a number of field tests that GTZ plans to conducts in 2009. GTZ is a member of Lighting Africa’s National Advisory Committee in Kenya; FISE and Lighting Africa are collaborating to develop a new standard testing methodology for LED-based non-grid lighting products in Africa. <a href="http://www.lightingafrica.org/node/7037">Read more</a></p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><div><img alt="" style="width: 600px; height: 11px;" src="http://lightingafrica.org/files/newsletter/newsletter_divider.jpg" /></div><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">The Ashden Awards for sustainable energy 2010 are looking for green champions</span></strong><br /><img width="172" height="108" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/newsletter_6.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />Encouraging sustainable initiatives is everyone’s responsibility. Lighting Africa is playing its part by promoting the Ashden Awards 2010 for Sustainable Energy. The Ashden Awards are seeking entries from inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy programs from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Entry is free, and up to six winners will receive £20,000 each in prize money for program development, with one overall Energy Champion awarded £40,000. For further information and for a downloadable application form, <a href="http://www.lightingafrica.org/news/detail/7040">click here</a> or visit <a href="http://www.ashdenawards.org">www.ashdenawards.org</a>.</p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><div><img alt="" style="width: 600px; height: 11px;" src="http://lightingafrica.org/files/newsletter/newsletter_divider.jpg" /></div><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><strong>The Lumina Projects Research note No 4-Quality performance of LED flashlights in Kenya: Common end-user preferences and complaints</strong></span><br /><img width="150" height="141" align="right" src="http://lightingafricastage.forumone.com/files/u27/PICT4126.jpg" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="" />The increased penetration of LED technology in the flashlight market is significant since over half of all Kenyan households report owning a flashlight (Kamfor, 2002). While this shift from conventional incandescent technology to modern LEDs may appear to be a promising development, end users still express a number of complaints about the quality and performance of these new flashlights. The Lumina Project cultivates technologies and markets for affordable low-carbon alternatives to fuel-based lighting in the developing world. <a href="http://www.lightingafrica.org/node/7139">Read more</a></p><div style="clear: right;"><div> </div><h3><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Update your agenda</span></h3><ul> <li>Lighting Africa Market Development workshop. October 15, 2009, Accra, Ghana The workshop will be based on the Kenya model held on September 30, 2009. <a href="http://mailto:aeliason@ifc.org">More details.</a></li> <li>CIE 2010: Lighting Quality & Energy Efficiency. March 14-17, 2010, Vienna, Austria Send your abstract proposals, latest by October 15th. The final day of the conference will be dedicated to "Lighting and Renewable Energy, with a special emphasis on lighting in developing countries”. The conference highlights some of the latest developments and results on lighting issues and it aims to enhance lighting quality and reduce energy consumption worldwide. <a href="http://vienna2010.cie.co.at/">Read more</a>.</li> <li>10th Intertech/Pira LEDs conference, October 20-22, 2009, San Diego, USA LEDs 2009 will focus on the commercialization and technology advancement of LEDs in the lighting and display industries. It aims to create a platform where science and industry meet and do business. <a href="http://www.ledconference.com">Read more</a>.</li></ul><div><img alt="" style="width: 600px; height: 11px;" src="http://lightingafrica.org/files/newsletter/newsletter_divider.jpg" /></div><p style="font-size: smaller;"><em><strong>Lighting Africa</strong></em> in partnership with: The UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Good Energies, Inc., Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Asia Sustainable and Alternative Energy Program (ASTAE)</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p> </p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p> </p>
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