Lighting Africa, a joint World Bank and IFC program, aims to accelerate the development of markets for modern off-grid lighting products in Sub-Saharan Africa where an estimated 10 to 30 percent of household incomes is spent on hazardous and low quality fuel-based lighting products. The goal is to mobilize and provide support to the private sector to supply quality, affordable, safe and clean lighting to consumers across Africa.

Lighting Africa is seeking to recognize and honor manufacturers and distributors of low cost off-grid lighting products through the launch of its innovative and exciting “Outstanding Product Awards 2010”. The award is open to manufacturers and distributors whose off-grid lighting products are available for sale in the local retail markets in D.R Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania.

Nominated products will be evaluated on their design, performance and affordability. The products will undergo laboratory and field tests evaluation to further assess: light quality, energy storage capacities, environmental impacts, truth-in-advertising, ease of use and special product features available.

The awards will be presented at the Lighting Africa 2010 Global Business Conference and Trade Fair in Nairobi, Kenya, May 17-20, 2010. Winners in each product category will receive a plaque and all winning products will be granted the opportunity of marketing rights to display the mention “Winner of the Lighting Africa Outstanding Product Award 2010” on packaging and marketing materials.

The award closes on 2nd October 2009. Interested manufacturers and distributors are actively encouraged to take part in this award competition.

For further details, materials, eligibility and rules and regulations for the awards visit:  www.lightingafrica.org/awards or contact: [email protected]

The Lighting Africa program provides support to manufacturers and distributors of low cost off-grid products that are targeting the Africa market. The program support towards the industry is structured along five key components: quality assurance, market intelligence, business support, access to finance and policy regulation. For more information on the support provided by Lighting Africa, visit: www.lightingafrica.org