"Illuminating Africa" 2009 Spring update

Dear members of the project "illuminating Africa":

"Lighting Africa" progress updates to all project members, regardless of the organization or individuals to provide the latest developments in the project. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please contact the "illuminating Africa" project team support@lightingafrica.com.

Product quality assurance strategy to seek feedback recommendations

The development of large dynamic and sustainable modern off grid lighting market requires careful attention to the quality of products and any potential damage to the market". To this end, the "lighting Africa" is developing a product quality assurance program to support technological innovation and provide diverse products and differential prices for the consumer market in africa.

With the support of project members, "illuminating Africa" is refining and completing its 4 part quality assurance strategy. The purpose of this strategy is to support the development of the market, to provide technical advisory services for quality oriented companies to provide technical advice, as well as to protect the interests of low-income consumers. May 2009 21-22, held in Kenya, capital of the quality assurance seminar in Nairobi related to the views and suggestions of all parties to promote the plan forward.

Financing guide has been presented to the network

In an effort to help entrepreneurs who plan to provide services to the African market to make it better to get financial support, the "light up Africa" financing plan recently released an online fundraising resource guide. This guide identifies potential opportunities for seed funding (business incubators, grants, awards and contests, etc.) and growth financing (equity, debt and trade finance, etc.). The guide also provides resources related to business planning to help companies meet the financing requirements of various organizations. The guide will be updated regularly, the scale of the plan will continue to expand.

International financial services trade finance mechanism for "illuminating the African"

International Finance Corporation's Global trade finance program (GTFP) enhanced the ability of banks to trade financing, which can provide a risk reduction for trade restrictions may be non-traditional markets. GTFP provides a partial or full guarantee for the bank to which it is recognised, to cover the risk of payment for these banks in emerging markets. These guarantees are specifically applicable to the following transactions:

1 letter of credit 2 pre export financing 3 trade related promissory notes and bills of exchange 4 purchase and performance bond advance payment guarantee of 6 to help the import of capital goods supplier credit

If you wish to participate in this plan, the exporter should directly contact the participating bank. List of participating banks: international finance company Global trade finance project manual

Research on value chain and sales channel

Lighting Africa has begun mapping and analysis of potential value chain and distribution channels in order to effectively provide consumers of off line lighting products. The research will start from Ethiopia, Garner, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, this work will determine a series of existing and potential value chain manufacturers and distribution channels, sales agents can easily obtain information through our online database.

In addition, the "lighting Africa" will be issued the "national survey" is committed to the development of efficient lighting business, interested in businesses in these countries can get one-stop information into these markets, including the relevant provisions, duties and taxes, as well as the market size, import / structure information

Lighting Africa launched consumer advocacy activities

Lighting Africa is preparing to launch consumer campaigns to teach African consumers the right choice of modern off the shelf lighting products. The event is to provide general support to stimulate market demand, while seriously pay attention to product quality issues, to facilitate the purchase of information. To this end, the lighting Africa is working with marketing and educational institutions to develop a comprehensive consumer education activities.