Innovation in Developing Countries: Butterfly LED Lamp in Kenya

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).

 I encourage governments in developing countries should support innovations by local citizens. They can do this by

• 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).