Deadline Date: March 04, 2026
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) invites proposals for context-appropriate, market-ready, off-grid solar public lighting solutions to improve safety, mobility, and access to basic municipal services in high-density informal settlements.
The focus areas of this initiative include testing and piloting technologies for service delivery, supporting the adoption of technologies to improve basic service delivery, learning by doing, and testing innovative models for delivering services.
The specific priorities of this call are to deploy commercially ready solar-powered public lighting solutions that improve outdoor lighting and visibility in unelectrified informal settlements, contribute to pedestrian safety and night-time mobility, support access to basic municipal and community services, demonstrate scalable models for informal settlement public lighting, and limit safety and liability risks to all parties. Priority lighting areas within Marikana Informal Settlement have been identified through community-led mapping and engagement processes.
This call is part of the Viability and Validation of Innovation for Service Delivery Programme (VVISDP), an initiative of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) implemented by TIA. It seeks applications from innovators and organizations capable of deploying technically feasible and scalable solar lighting solutions suitable for informal settlement environments. Applicants are expected to adopt community-driven approaches, including local involvement and training, and provide robust post-implementation support models to ensure sustainability. The initiative emphasizes solutions that are practical, safe, and effective in enhancing the quality of life for residents in unelectrified areas.
For more information, visit TIA.
