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Yaoundé - 28 March 2024 -
Energy

From cities to villages, solar lamps are in

From cities to villages, solar lamps are in
  • Comments   -   Friday, 09 January 2015 08:23

(Business in Cameroon) - Virtual salvation from the repeated electrical power outages and problems and fires caused by storm lamps and candles, solar lamps have made a blazing debut in Cameroonian households

Long considered to be the energy source of the wealthy, solar energy is quickly spreading among everyday Cameroonian people. The oil company Total is among the first companies in the sector to sell its “Awango” solar lamps in various service stations (unit cost: 7,000 FCFA). Cameroon’s demand for solar lamps, which are easily rechargeable and safer, pushed other companies such as GN Solaire France to embark on this adventure.

Today, the solar lamp is doing well. In Yaoundé and in Douala, the country’s two major cities, they can be found in virtually all hardware stores. Even in the streets, many vendors sell the usually “made in China” lamps. This attests to the solar lamp’s success among local people. The purchase price varies depending on the type of lamp.

The most popular item is the solar lamp equipped with a USB charger for cellular phones. In Africa, where cellular phones have become essential, thanks to the various services they allow (money transfers, health information, agricultural advice and so on), solar lamps solve problems caused by the energy shortage. “It is true that the solar lamp grabbed me because it is so practical. It’s a one-time purchase. It charges easily. It’s economical and safe. No more need to buy batteries. Even when it rains, it charges. The fact that we can also use it to charge our cellular phones is awesome,” stated Michel Bonono, maintenance agent in Yaoundé.

Thanks to its cellular phone charging capacity, the solar lamp, with the creativity of users, can also generate revenue, though modest. This is what two Mindimi Oveng teens, in the region of South Cameroon, did. To earn some money during their last summer holidays at their grandparents this year, they had the idea to offer cellular phone battery charging services for locals and neighbouring villages. 

They were able to earn and put a little money aside for the new school year by collecting the sum of 100 FCFA after a phone charging venture. Leaving their grandparents, they left them their lamp as a gift. This allowed them to no longer spend their money to buy oil for their old storm lamp. It will also bring them a bit of money to address their basic needs thanks to the phone charging  business inspired by their grandchildren. 

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