Innovation, especially technological innovation, is regarded as one of
the keys to economic and social development. One of the myths about the
developing world is that people living there lack innovation necessary to spur
economic growth and development. Some development experts have advised
governments in developing countries to adopt already matured technologies from
developed countries. Others have argued that technology transfer from developed to developing countries is
the best way out.
While I agree to both ideas and agree
that developing countries have significant opportunities for tapping into
global knowledge and technology for dissemination in their domestic context, I
also disqualify the myth that there is no or little innovation in these countries. It is there, but is inhibited by poor framework conditions (such as
governance, education and infrastructure).
- Developing and implementing practical innovation policies
- Providing technical, financial and other support
- Reducing obstacles to innovation in competition and in regulatory and legal frameworks
- Providing government-sponsored research and development (R& D)
- Developing an education systems that encourages creativity and innovation
In this series, I will be highlighting
various innovations from developing countries. This week, I will feature an
innovation by two Kenyans:
The product: Butterfly
LED Lamps
·
They
are an affordable form of lighting made for the poor and those in the rural
areas without access to electricity.
·
The
lamps are made of recyclable materials:
Battery: this is made of
recycled dead laptop batteries
Outer covering: made of white trunk pipes
- The LED bulbs installed
produce bright light thus giving the user enough light for a big room
- The butterfly lamp charges
via both electricity and solar energy. The battery charges for 10 to 20
minutes to give a whole week consistent lighting.
·
The
charging system is unique in that it has special ports installed. One can use
any mobile phone charger to charge the lamp. Majority of people have mobile
phones (including those in rural areas), so this is an easy way to charge the
lamp.
·
Compared
to other devices in the market, Butterfly Lamps are brighter and provide light
for longer.
Target Population
-Slums and rural areas where there is no government installed
electricity.
The
Lamps are already being used by:
- Nairobi university
students: due
to the regular blackouts at the university resident halls, one student
bought a lamp. She uses it to study for exams when the lights go out.
- Homes: relatives of the innovators who live in rural
areas use butterfly lamps for lighting.
- Long distance truck drivers: Some transit drivers from Mombasa to Kampala use the lamps. At most times the truck breaks down in the middle of the night. They use the lamp to see around and for security.
The Innovators
Paul Mucheru
-Works
at Faulu Bank. He is developer of electrical control systems. His passion is to
provide access to lighting for all especially the poor. He came up with the
idea of the Butterfly Lamps and developed a prototype .
Joe Mwaniki
-27 years old. He
is a software and web developer with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.
He Works at West Innovations Limited. In 2010, Joe won the vice chancellors
innovation Award. He is passionate about the technology of tomorrow.
Where did the
idea come from?
Here is what the dynamic duo had to say:
We were preparing
to watch the UEFA Champions League finals between Chelsea and Bayern Munich
when the lights suddenly disappeared. Arrg!! Kenya Power and Lighting Company
(KPLC) had failed us again. We desperately wanted to watch the match.
That is when we decided
that we had to do something. There had to be an affordable form of lighting.
With frequent blackout and many Kenyans depending on KPLC alone, an alternative
form of lighting had to be developed. And we were going to do it! Indeed
necessity is the mother of invention.
Future of the
product
- The lamp will have a
battery meter so as to alert the user on the battery levels
- The user will be able to
access the lamp or bulb wirelessly through a smartphone app. This will
help show the battery charge levels, if the product is broken, and how to
improve the productivity of the lamp.
- The lamp is in the process
of being patented
- A outer cover is being designed to protect the bulbs
Potential benefit to Investors
·
Investors will benefit from the sales of the
lamps to the many customers across the region.
·
Investors will have the opportunity to clear the
environment off toxic materials (the recycled batteries used in the product).
