by Wolfgang Gregor

Almost five years ago, in May 2010, during the 2nd “Lighting Africa Conference” in Nairobi, the idea of creating an Off Grid Lighting association was born. Initiated by IFC, more than 20 companies, NGOs and other stakeholders signed a respective LOI based on an IFC concept paper. What was the main idea behind this visionary approach? The IFC proposition was indeed visionary:

“The joint World Bank/IFC Lighting Africa…

By Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 

In 2007, the former Nigerian finance minister and current World Bank Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala gave a remarkable speech on how economic and social growths are made possible for the people in Africa (and other developing regions of the world).

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Article by Laura Stachel

Isha has impeccable clinical skills, years of experience in mobilizing communities to improve maternal and child health, a regal demeanor, and an unwavering passion for reducing maternal mortality. And she is part of an exciting story how solar power can improve situation of rural health clinics.

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At first glance, the answer is clear: in off-grid areas of developing countries, kerosene lamps are generally used for "lighting". They hardly produce light, but very much harmful smoke. Also the combustion of fossil fuels is used, producing substantial CO2.

Therefore and not without reason, the simple message of off-grid NGOs and companies is: solar energy brings sufficient and clean light, and thus helps to reduce both the health damage of eyes and lungs as well as to reduce the…