Lumos secures solar relief financing to power healthcare facilities in response to COVID-19

Off-grid energy firm, Lumos is one of four renewable energy companies that has been selected to receive a share of the $500,000 Solar Relief Fund from Nigerian off-grid energy impact investing company All On.

This new funding, and the availability of Lumos’ country-wide operations and logistics network, mean that solar home systems are rapidly being deployed to critical healthcare and emergency response centres across Nigeria, the company said.

In Africa, the coronavirus is beginning to advance through major cities and into towns. Compared to European and US cities, the confirmed cases in Sub-Saharan cities has remained relatively low. However, experts from the World Health Organisation estimate that 10 million Africans could catch the virus in the next six months.

However, less than 33% of households and 30% of businesses in Nigeria have reliable access to grid electricity. Many healthcare facilities, whether pre-existing or new Covid-19 emergency response centres, suffer from a similar lack of reliable power, which severely hampers their effectiveness in responding to the health crisis.

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This is where organisations like Lumos can provide help. One of the organisations that is receiving Lumos’ solar home systems is the Society for Family Health.

Anthony Iwala, Social Franchise Director, Society for Family Health, said: “We are pleased to receive this very significant support from Lumos and All On.

“It is an exemplary intervention that will facilitate the success of the fight against the virus. Electricity from their solar systems will ensure staff are properly kitted, able to prepare instruments and medication without compromising infection prevention protocols,” said Iwala.

Lumos said the solar systems will be used to power basic necessities such as lighting, fans and computers, ensuring that essential services are able to respond to the crisis, supply testing kits, and deliver urgent medical care.

Adepeju Adebajo, CEO, Lumos Nigeria commented: “Covid-19 is an unprecedented crisis, putting millions of lives at risk. Reliable, affordable and clean electricity is vital to running life-saving equipment in hospitals and training essential workers. The All-On fund is enabling us to react exceptionally quickly. Lumos has the products and the trained staff on the ground to install solar systems, which will allow key workers to test and treat patients with the virus and save lives.”

Wiebe Boer, CEO, All On, commented: “All On investee Lumos was selected to be part of the Covid-19 Solar Relief Fund based on their immediate preparedness to respond with products, inventory, technical capabilities and their efficient nationwide delivery track record.”