WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 8, 2008 - The World Bank Group invites the media to its first global business conference and competition for off-grid lighting in Africa. The conference, Lighting Africa 2008, will take place at the La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, from May 5 to 8, 2008.

Lighting Africa is a joint IFC and World Bank initiative that seeks to provide modern lighting by the year 2030 to the 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who lack access to electricity.

More than 400 lighting industry companies and entrepreneurs from 52 countries worldwide have registered to attend. Speakers will include representatives from Osram, Philips, and Coca-Cola.

Journalists who attend will be able to interview lighting industry representatives, including top innovators in the sustainable energy and off-grid lighting fields; World Bank Group officials; representatives from donor countries; and the winners of the 2008 Development Marketplace lighting competition.

Program and registration: For more information, a program, and registration, visit www.lightingafrica.org. Please register before May 5.

Media activities: To learn more about media activities during the conference, visit http://lightingafrica.org/index.cfm?Page=LightingAfrica2008&ap=media. For photos and media kit, please contact: ktheriault@ifc.org.

About Lighting Africa

The Lighting Africa program was officially launched in September 2007. It aims to facilitate the development of a robust off-grid lighting market in Africa, supporting business development and increasing economic opportunities.

The Lighting Africa 2008 conference is designed to increase awareness of the significant market opportunities for improving lighting products and services and to link global investors with local suppliers and service providers. It will also promote entrepreneurial networking; share market intelligence, business, and financing model structures for lighting projects; showcase innovative products; and promote business development.

International Finance Corporation

International Finance Corporation

The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is the largest multilateral provider of financing for private enterprise in developing countries. IFC finances private sector investments, mobilizes capital in international financial markets, facilitates trade, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to businesses and governments. From its founding in 1956 through FY06, IFC has committed more than $56 billion of its own funds for private sector investments in the developing world and mobilized an additional $25 billion in syndications for 3,531 companies in 140 developing countries. With the support of funding from donors, it has also provided more than $1 billion in technical assistance and advisory services.

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