Why LED light bulbs is now a thing in Africa

With the increasing need for lighting solutions in Africa, a consensus is now being reached on the need to have LED light bulbs which are environmentally safe lighting products.
Since time immemorial man has devised ways of ensuring that he has light during the night to enable him continue with his activities uninterrupted. But the lighting system then was mediocre compared to what we have in our times today. It was common to see households with oil lamps in the old days.

But it is the industrial revolution of the 1800s that transformed lighting solutions in the world. The first bulb invention by an English scientist Humphrey Davy formed a basis for advanced lighting system that we have today.

Over the years however, proponents of environment conservation have decried the use of some bulbs which they says emit a lot of carbon to the atmosphere. It has been argued that traditional light bulbs for instance; produce a lot of heat and carbon dioxide to the atmosphere compared to energy savers.

But perhaps it is the amount of energy consumed by these traditional bulbs that has given energy stakeholders sleepless nights. Research has shown that LED light bulbs can save up to 80 percent of energy compared to the traditional incandescent.

It is a phenomenon that has forced companies dealing in power solutions to shift to energy saving bulbs.

LED light bulbs
LED Power Technology realized the need for environmentally friendly lighting products soon after its launch in 2011.The firm, one of the Leading Light Emitting Diodes (LED) bulbs distributors in Kenya, resorted to energy saving lighting products due to enormous energy saved.

LED Power Technology director Jeet Anand says that the motivation to sell LED lighting products was informed by the need to conserve the environment and saving on cost. For example he says, with LED light bulbs one can save up to 80% on cost compared to the traditional light bulb. But perhaps the greatest benefit of using LED products is that they do not emit Ultra Violet light. The rays have devastating effects on the skin and eyes.

Apart from reduced health problems, LED products are long lasting. The LED bulb can last for upto 50,000 hours. Compared to the tradition bulb that can only last for about 2000 hours -- says Anand.

According to Katja Förster of GEO-Technik, the need for energy in Africa is on the rise just like every other continent in the world. “To become as independent as possible it makes a lot of sense to invest in energy and cost saving products with longevity. Considering the unpredictable political situations in many African states, a solution with less demand on spare parts is quite convenient,” she adds.