Green Africa: Solar lamps to empower the poor

The young entrepreneur Evans Wadongo, 29, who helps light rural homes in Kenya with solar-powered LED lanterns, received a prize for his innovative project at the New York Forum Africa in Gabon.

Wadongo won the second prize for the African start-up award, provided by the New York Forum African in Libreville, Gabon.

Wadongo co-founded Greenwize to give rural families in Kenya a means of replacing the smoky kerosene and firelight with solar power, for free. He also hopes his invention will improve education and reduce poverty.