AKON
Akon is an American-Senegalese RnB singer and producer. Brought up in a family of musicians, he spent his early childhood in Senegal before leaving at the age of seven to live in the USA…
Samba BATHILY
CEO of ADS Group, Samba Bathily, is an important actor in the Malian economy and has played an important role over the past 20 years in developing a strong private sector in Africa…
MOREThione NIANG
Thione Niang is a politician, speaker and consultant. Born into a family of 28 children in Senegal, Thione arrived in the US in 2000, speaking no English and with $20 in his pocket…
MOREAkon, Samba Bathily and Thione Niang all agree that sustainable development in Africa through access to electricity is a top priority. They have pooled their energy, passion and complementary skills to promote a shared vision for Africa that is both optimistic and realistic. The highly positive results observed since the start of the project show that a local presence and practical solutions are key to resolving energy issues in Africa. Akon Lighting Africa’s roadmap fully reflects its founder members’ vision for Africa where success is quantified in terms of its impact on the populations concerned – ie on the millions of Africans whose lives are put on hold at dusk.
Akon Lighting Africa has set up an efficient governance mechanism in order to match up to its goals. The executive board is composed of Akon, Samba Bathily and Thione Niang sharing the same vision, strongly committed and bringing each a different background; they work with partners with all the skills and competencies required for such project:
• Technical partners, able to match massive needs in technical solutions – electric equipment, kits and micro solar systems – required to advance electrification in rural and semi-urban areas: Solektra, CJI
• Financial partners able to offer financial back up to governments and civil society organizations involved : ADS Global Group and Sumec
• Civil society leaders, such as Give1praject, that is focusing on promoting the youth globally and especially within Africa. Give1Project acts as an important advisor with regards to training issues and competencies development for young people.