CHICAGO, Illinois — Today, 80 percent of the world has access to electricity. In Africa, only 30 percent of the continent has access, which translates to about 600 million people who are lacking the resource. Electricity is a necessity for modern life and the lack of access in Africa is a problem that keeps many people from social, economic and educational opportunities. Akon Lighting Africa is a nonprofit that was founded in 2014 and that seeks to provide a concrete response to Africa’s electricity crisis and set a precedent for future development with sustainable energy.
International music star, Akon, and entrepreneur Thione Niang were both born and raised in a small village in Senegal without electricity. “When I was young, we had to study by candlelight with only one candle for the entire family. I want to make sure that children no longer have to work in those conditions,” said Niang.
Their personal experiences of growing up without the conveniences of modern utilities inspired them to look for a productive solution to the lack African energy. In 2013, they began discussing what could be done and came to the conclusion that the investment in energy in rural and semi-urban areas was the root of the solution and would lead to progress in health, education and economic development.
Samba Bathily, a businessman from Mali specializing in solar energy, joined their cause and the three were able to recognize their common goal to support African growth and the empowerment of African youth. Bathily’s own company, Solektra INT, markets solar powered equipment and paired successfully with the goals of Akon and Niang. A combination of resources, expertise and networks allowed the three men to launch Akon Lighting Africa in February of 2014.
The lack of electricity in Africa hinders people in many ways. Economic activity stops as soon as the sun goes down, women are unable to make productive use of their time and children are unable to study at night. Alternative methods of light such and candles or kerosene lamps are expensive and many people in rural areas don’t have access to these goods. Fires in the home and harmful pollutants from alternative light sources result in the deaths of over 3.5 million Africans each year. Other alternatives, such as generators, negatively affect productivity and profitability of small businesses due to cost and other inconveniences.
Within the first year, Akon Lighting Africa has managed to install a variety of solar solutions in 14 African countries. Specifically, the nonprofit is working to implement public street lighting, solar micro-generators for community use and individual household connection kits. For the first time, many households, schools, health centers and entire villages have been given access to electricity. The new electrical industry is also actively providing maintenance and installation jobs for local citizens. Overall, the program has indirectly created 5,500 jobs and installed 100,000 solar street lamps across 14 countries.
Akon Lighting Africa also aims to include African engineers and entrepreneurs in the conversation about how to install and sustain solar powered electricity systems. By encouraging the involvement of the African people, the organization is looking to instill long term development into African communities.
Akon Lighting Africa has created positive relationships with many African countries and aims to eventually provide solar energy to all 600 million in Africa who are lacking resources.
– Peyton Jacobsen
Photo: Flickr