What is Lighting Africas position on subsidies for rural lighting, electrification, and other modern energy services?
Subsidization for energy services is a complex issue that must be evaluated on a case by case basis. As a program, Lighting Africa does not take a solitary stance on the issue, first and foremost because rural lighting, electrification, and other modern energy services are very different things and each requires a different financing structure to be successful. Rural electrification, for example, has always been achieved through some form of subsidization – by the government or cross-subsidization from urban to rural consumers. Subsidization has also been monumental, for instance, in providing assistance to public institutions (medical clinics, schools, churches, etc.) which provide critical services for the community but lack necessary funds. Although it is premature to have a distinct position on subsidization until we can adequately measure the impact of our pilot approach, in general, the philosophy of the Lighting Africa program is built on the assumption that modern lighting prod
