Adopting efficient city services management platforms

Salvi Lighting has partnered with the Energy Development Corporation, a division of Rwanda Energy Group, to improve public lighting installation and management across Rwanda. By implementing Smartec® technology, Salvi Lighting installed 20,000 smart communication nodes along 950 kilometres of urban infrastructure. This technology combines energy-efficient LEDs with sensors and connectivity, reducing energy consumption from 1,075 kWh to 329 kWh per year per luminary and projecting savings of 149 GWh over 10 years. These improvements will enable cutting energy use by up to 70% and lowering maintenance costs by 50%, while also enhancing public safety and infrastructure management.

Building on this success, Salvi Lighting plans to expand beyond Rwanda with a street and urban lighting extensive project of more than 100,000 solar intelligent luminaires in Senegal, which has the potential to create 500 to 1,000 jobs.

- Implementation of Smartec® technology with energy-efficient LEDs and smart nodes reduced energy consumption per luminary from 1,075 kWh to 329 kWh annually, resulting in significant reductions in carbon emissions.
- The project is expected to save 149 GWh over 10 years, aligning with Rwanda's sustainability goals.
- The reduction in energy consumption (up to 70%) and 50% lower maintenance costs provide long-term financial benefits for public infrastructure budgets.
- Expansion to Senegal is projected to create 500 to 1,000 jobs, supporting local economies and skill development in the renewable energy and smart lighting sectors.

Countries across Sub-Saharan Africa are grappling with the dual challenge of expanding energy access while addressing climate change. As Rwanda’s urban population is projected to triple by 2050¹, the rapid urbanisation places immense pressure on the country’s infrastructure and energy systems. The government’s ambitious efforts to expand electricity access—from just 6% in 2009 to over 75% by 2024² — must be coupled with robust energy efficiency measures to avoid locking in inefficient energy consumption patterns that could strain cities’ resources.

Energy efficiency is central to Rwanda’s sustainable urban development goals, offering a path to reduce electricity consumption by up to 22%, according to the World Bank.³ By improving energy efficiency, Rwanda can enhance energy security, reduce dependency on costly energy imports, and alleviate pressure on its national grid, especially in rapidly growing urban areas. Furthermore, optimising the electricity supply chain, reducing transmission losses, and implementing energy-efficient technologies will not only cut greenhouse gas emissions but also support the country’s broader economic transformation, ensuring that Rwanda’s cities can grow sustainably while improving the quality of life for their residents.