Lighting Africa is a joint International Finance Corporation and World Bank program that supports the global lighting industry in developing affordable, clean, and efficient modern lighting and energy solutions for millions of Sub-Saharan Africans who currently live without access to the electricity grid. Lighting Africa aims to leverage global expenditures on fuel-based lighting to develop, accelerate, and sustain the market for modern off-grid lighting alternatives including the latest light-emitting diode, fluorescent, human-cranking, and solar technologies.

The benefits of the initiative are as follows:

Skills training/education of energy sources and availability via consumer outreach campaign.

Improved access to energy.

Reduced kerosene use.

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Increased market opportunities for renewable energy: an estimated 100,000 lanterns and task lights were sold in Ghana, Kenya and elsewhere in 2009 by 22 manufacturers.

Reduced barriers between the global lighting industry and local service providers.