Modern, high-quality off-grid lighting and energy products can transform lives. Over the last decade, a concerted global push has created thriving markets for these products, demonstrating that off-grid solutions can complement sustained grid electrification to accelerate the rate of bringing electricity to the roughly 1.1 billion people who lack this service. Starting in Africa and later expanding to other regions, ESMAP has provided technical and financial support to fuel this revolution. It has helped leverage millions of dollars in World Bank investment, strengthen policies, and engage the private sector to accelerate off-grid electrification.
Lighting Global is a flagship initiative of the World Bank Group that aims to build sustainable markets for off-grid solar products for households, productive, and community use. The initiative collaborates with Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), manufacturers, distributors, governments, and other partners to develop the modern off-grid energy market. ESMAP is renewing and continuing its support to Lighting Africa and has expanded the World Bank support for off-grid energy activities in other regions such as South and East Asia. Read IMPACT Story
TIMELINE OF ESMAP SUPPORT
Launch (2009)
- Designs Lighting Africa conceptional framework
- Develops global product Quality Assurance Standards
Growth (2010)
- Conducts consumer surveys in 10,000+ off-grid households
- Uses consumer data to improve product design and other aspects of the market
- Works with governments to integrate off-grid lighting into rural electrification programs and remove policy bottlenecks
Expansion (2012-Present)
- Helps Lighting Africa expand its reach and supports Lighting Global