8 August 2012: The latest edition of Lighting Africa Newsletter, from a joint programme of the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) and Work Bank, highlights, inter alia, the rollout of the Lighting Global Quality Assurance Framework, a harmonized approach to identifying the quality- off grid lighting products.

The newsletter begins with a program to train technicians to provide after sales service and maintenance of solar lighting products sold in Kenya and Ghana. More than 100 technicians – to be based in ten Kenyan major towns and six Ghanian cities – will be trained. The newsletter continues with a report on the tremendous annual growth in Kenya for modern off-grid lighting products, averaging 75-85% per year over the last two years. Efforts to contribute to the UN Sustainable Energy for All Initiative by Lighting Africa associated companies are also highlighted.

In stories from the field, efforts to develop affordable solar lighting products to replace hazardous kerosene lamps commonly used in millions of home across Africa by Nokero International in partnership with ChildFund international are cited. The section also includes news of the partnership between Tough Stuff, the solar kit provider, and the global mosquito net manufacturer and distributor, Bestnet A/S, to reach more people with solar products during humanitarian crises. Off- Grid news focuses on operationalizing the global off-grid lighting association. The off-grid lighting association brings together companies and organizations providing innovative yet affordable lighting solutions to communities without electricity. [Publication: Lighting Africa Newsletter direct download] [Publication: Lighting Africa Newsletter (French) direct download] [Lighting Africa Website]