Sunna Design, a leader and pioneer in solar lighting, has successfully deployed 30,000 streetlights in Togo as part of the PEP’S Rural project (Program for Solar Public Lighting), aimed at expanding the country’s public lighting infrastructure.

This ambitious project, resulting from a public-private partnership with support from the French Treasury Directorate, encompasses the supply, installation, and long-term maintenance of 50,000 smart and connected solar streetlights.

The company said the project aligned with the Togolese Presidency’s National Development Plan.

The operational deployment was facilitated by pre-project infrastructure mapping conducted by Benedict Onochie Ibe, Data Analyst for Mitsio Motu company to maximise the economic and social impact of solar lighting for the population.

Ibe led the team that built the survey and data collection tools used during those projects, and was also in charge of data validation, data processing and analysis.

While access to light remained limited in many rural areas of Togo, Mila Aziable, the Minister Delegate for Energy and Mines in the Togolese government, launched the PEP’S Rural project through the Togolese Agency for Rural Electrification and Renewable Energies (AT2ER).

“The goal was to improve the living conditions of the Togolese population in 4,600 remote rural areas without access to the electrical grid,” President of the Executive Board of Sunna Design, Ignace de Prest said.

Ignace de Prest added: “Over 30,000 Sunna Design solar streetlights out of the planned 50,000 have been successfully installed, particularly in the Savanes and Kara regions. The change is noticeable in daily life, as these new lighting solutions play a significant role in the day-to-day activities of the Togolese people, facilitating transportation, work, nighttime learning, or simply ensuring safe nighttime movement. They also help limit rural exodus by deploying sustainable and decentralised infrastructure in revitalised and more attractive areas.

“This initial milestone in Togo, with its long-term model for rural population access to lighting, represents a significant step toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to ensure universal access to clean and sustainable energy by 2030.

“Our mission at Sunna Design is to illuminate and connect the world sustainably, particularly in unelectrified rural areas, where solar lighting has a major impact on the population. We firmly believe in innovation, proximity, and impact. Our commitment to Togo is a concrete example of how Sunna Design combines technological innovation with a local approach to create meaningful change for the people.

“In this regard, we are proud of the results achieved by AT2ER, which carries out our project. The installation of these 30,000 solar streetlights represents a significant advancement toward overall lighting and sustainable economic development in Togo.

“Sunna Design and the Togolese Republic are determined to continue their joint efforts to successfully complete the PEP’S project and achieve the goal of deploying 50,000 solar streetlights in Togo by 2024, thereby contributing to a brighter and more sustainable future for the country.”