Philips aims to light up rural Africa

17 October 2012 News

A new initiative from Philips will see the installation of 100 so-called ‘light centres’ across rural Africa by 2015. These are areas of roughly 1000 m², or the size of a small soccer pitch, which are lit using a new generation of highly efficient solar powered LED lighting.

The idea is to create areas of light for rural communities which live without electricity, thus effectively ‘extending the day’ and creating numerous opportunities for social and economic activities in the evening.

Philips made this announcement at the concluding leg of its third consecutive Cairo to Cape Town road show, which has focused on topics relating to key challenges facing Africa and how new innovations can address these: Mother and Child Care, energy efficient LED and solar lighting solutions.

The light centres, the first 40 of which are scheduled for installation later this year, will be focused on schools which are closely linked to villages and towns in off-grid or semi-grid areas; this can also include parts of cities. They will provide communal areas which can be used for sport and many other activities such as healthcare, education, social and commerce.

Philips has committed an investment of 1,2 million Euros to this project, spread over three years. Maintenance would be self-sustaining as local authorities/owners can rent out the light or advertising space and generate an income.

Philips has already completed installing light centres in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa during its Cairo to Cape Town road show 2012. The setup includes four 8 m poles fixed in the ground and hoisting four LED lights which consume less power than a 60 W light bulb and provide around 20 lux of cold white light across an area of 1000 m².

For more information visit www.philips.com/africaroadshow

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