Off-Grid energy’s tremendous impacts – and potential for more – have been recognized in the newly launched (December 2018) Kenya National Electrification Strategy (KNES). KNES lays out a strategy for achieving universal electricity access for all Kenyans by 2022, which includes grid extension as well as off-grid solutions. The strategy, which was prepared with support … Read More
In 2009, IFC/World Bank launched the Lighting Africa program in Kenya, with an objective of mobilizing the private sector to create markets for clean and affordable off-grid lighting products for rural communities not connected to the grid. At the time, Kenya had a national grid access rate of twenty-three percent, and only five percent connections … Read More
If you are one of the 3.2 billion World Cup viewers from around the globe, you likely know the full range of emotions that accompany the act of staring at a screen watching grown men chasing a small ball around the field, half a world away. When your favored team is doing well the elation … Read More
In September 2017, with support from the World Bank Group, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) officially adopted the Lighting Global Quality Standards for Pico solar products as mandatory standards for all imported solar Pico products in Tanzania. These standards include benchmarks for product quality, warranties, and performance reporting requirements. In order to pave way … Read More
It’s happened to all of us: you walk into a store and see something you like – only to feel the disappointing realization that you can’t afford it. If what you were coveting was something frivolous, it’s not a problem. But what if the item you were hoping to purchase has the power to … Read More
Join us on Wednesday March 21st, 2:30pm – 3:30pm CET as speakers from Lighting Global, ESMAP, GOGLA, and Dalberg share key takeaways from the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo and the 2018 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report, and discuss what’s next for the off-grid solar energy sector. Register here.
When Rispa Onyong’e’s neighbor’s house burned down in a horrific kerosene lamp accident, Onyong’e knew that she had to quickly find an alternative lighting solution for her and her family. Married with one child, this rice farmer living in a small village in Kenya faced the same challenges as her neighbors with no access to … Read More
Le 6 mars, le gouvernement du Niger annoncera le lancement officiel d’une ligne de crédit de 7 millions de dollars visant à stimuler le développement d’un marché des Kits Solaires Domestiques (KSD) pour les produits répondant aux normes de qualité reconnues par le programme Lighting Global ainsi que pour des systèmes de pompage solaire de … Read More
On March 6th, the government of Niger will announce the official launch of a US $7 million line of credit aiming to stimulate the development of a solar home system (SHS) market for products meeting Lighting Global Quality Standards as well as for quality solar pumping systems. The credit line is part of the World … Read More
Microfinance institution and Lighting Africa/Kenya client BIMAS Kenya Ltd was recently recognized as one of the top 100 medium-sized companies in Kenya. This is the second time that the MFI entered the competition, making a significant jump from position 98 in 2011, to position 37 this year. The MFI works with the Lighting Africa/Kenya program … Read More
