On 7 July 2008, the CEO of Philips lighting and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs signed a public-private partnership agreement for the implementation of a three-year programme to develop sustainable, non-exclusive distribution and marketing networks for energy services for poor people, which will also generate income for thousands of entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa by 2015. The partnership is to provide affordable, appropriate and sustainable (renewable) energy services to underserved people in sub-Saharan Africa, with the ambition to achieve 10 million people by 2015.

Philips is currently developing, testing and improving various products targeting the so-called Base of the Pyramid market, including rechargeable solar lanterns and reading lamps, efficient woodstoves and water purification devices.

Triodos Facet and ETC Energy were contracted through a competitive bidding procedure to support the development of lasting retail networks in 9 African countries with a view to bring products and services to the base-of-pyramid market. The approach is based on enhancing and stimulating business transactions between all players in the supply chain, by providing the right incentives to develop sustainable markets.

The countries where the partnership will initiate activities are Uganda, Senegal, Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin, Zambia, Burundi, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Mali and Burkina Faso. The project kicked off in September 2009, and will run for three years.

For more information contact Nienke Stam: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
[Africa, ref. 193 SESA]