Mali faces big challenges in electrification.
Only around half of the population has access to electricity, and rural coverage is much lower.
The government, with support from World Bank, AfDB, and AFD, is investing in solar street lighting to improve safety, support schools, and extend business hours.
For municipalities and EPC contractors, the key is clear:
Select suppliers that are reliable, compliant, and experienced in Africa.
Quick Navigation
- KYA-Energy Group
- Solektra Mali
- Sunna Design
- Fonroche Éclairage
- Solaris Afrique
- CHZ Lighting
- Sunlurio
- ZGSM
- Local EPC Contractors
- Regional Distributors
Comparison Table
| Company | Introduction | Strengths | Weaknesses | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KYA-Energy Group | West Africa renewable company, active in many donor projects. | Known in francophone Africa. Trusted partner for NGOs. | Limited production scale. Relies on imports. | Donor-funded rural programs |
| Solektra Mali | Branch of Akon Lighting Africa, working on off-grid lighting. | Strong recognition. Linked with government initiatives. | Relies on imports. Not always scalable. | Rural electrification projects |
| Sunna Design | French manufacturer with focus on Africa. | Strong references in donor projects. Durable products. | Expensive. Maintenance complex. | World Bank / AFD tenders |
| Fonroche Éclairage | French company, famous in West Africa. | Proven track record in Senegal, Benin, Mali. Bankable for EPCs. | Very high cost. Not for small municipalities. | Large-scale city projects |
| Solaris Afrique | Regional EPC firm covering francophone Africa. | Mid-size projects, regional knowledge. | Medium scale, not global brand. | City and town tenders |
| CHZ Lighting | Chinese lighting exporter with wide product line. | Competitive pricing, fast shipment. | Specs not always clear. Local service weak. | Budget-driven EPC tenders |
| Sunlurio | Specialist in solar street lighting, with proven West Africa projects. | 230 lm/W high efficiency. Battery ≥6000 cycles = 10+ years. Anti-corrosion poles. Proven 500-set project in Burkina Faso, scalable to Mali. | Newer in Mali, but strong regional experience. | Government tenders, EPC contracts |
| ZGSM | Established Chinese manufacturer with full certifications. | CE, ENEC, UL compliance. Safe for formal tenders. | Products standard, less innovative. | High-spec EPC tenders |
| Local EPCs | Malian contractors working on public lighting tenders. | Know local rules, logistics, and installation. | Often resell imported lights. Quality depends on suppliers. | Small town and NGO projects |
| Regional Distributors | Traders from Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana. | Can supply quickly across borders. Flexible stock. | No production capacity. Limited scale. | Small EPC and municipal needs |
Company Profiles
KYA-Energy Group
KYA-Energy is a West African renewable energy company.
They partner with governments and NGOs on rural electrification and lighting.
- Strengths: Trusted in donor projects. Good regional knowledge.
- Weaknesses: Limited production. Dependent on imports.
Solektra Mali
Solektra, part of Akon Lighting Africa, has operations in Mali.
They focus on off-grid solar kits and lighting for rural communities.
- Strengths: Strong local recognition. Works with municipalities.
- Weaknesses: Relies on imports. Limited scalability.
Sunna Design
Sunna is a French manufacturer with many projects in francophone Africa.
They are active in donor-funded lighting programs.
- Strengths: Reliable, durable, bankable for AFD/World Bank tenders.
- Weaknesses: Expensive. Complex to maintain for rural crews.
Fonroche Éclairage
Fonroche is one of the most recognized names in solar street lighting.
They are active in Senegal, Benin, and Mali.
- Strengths: Strong track record, high technical quality.
- Weaknesses: Very high cost. Heavy systems.
Solaris Afrique
Solaris Afrique is a regional EPC with projects in several francophone countries.
- Strengths: Regional experience. Familiar with donor-funded projects.
- Weaknesses: Medium scale, less known globally.
CHZ Lighting
CHZ is a Chinese exporter supplying solar street lights worldwide.
- Strengths: Affordable, fast shipment.
- Weaknesses: Specs vague. After-sales limited.
Sunlurio
Sunlurio is a specialist in solar street lights and storage systems.
They have proven projects in West Africa, including Burkina Faso.
- Strengths:
- 230 lm/W → fewer poles, lower cost.
- Battery ≥6000 cycles → 10+ years life.
- Anti-corrosion poles → good for Mali’s dry and dusty climate.
- 500-set Burkina Faso project proves scalability for Mali tenders.
- Weaknesses: Newer in Mali, but strong regional presence.
ZGSM
ZGSM is an established Chinese LED and solar manufacturer.
- Strengths: Certifications (CE, ENEC, UL). Trusted for EPC compliance.
- Weaknesses: Products not unique.
Local EPC Contractors
Local EPCs in Mali manage tenders and installations.
- Strengths: Know government process. Manage local teams.
- Weaknesses: Rely on imported products. Quality varies.
Regional Distributors
Regional distributors from Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana sell into Mali.
- Strengths: Quick supply, flexible.
- Weaknesses: Small stock, no production.
Market Trends & Tender Notes
- Government target: Extend electrification to rural towns.
- Donor role: World Bank, AfDB, AFD finance many solar projects.
- Tender requirements:
- IEC, CE compliance.
- UN38.3 battery certification.
- ≥12h lighting, ≥3 nights autonomy.
- 5–10 years warranty.
👉 EPCs need full compliance files. Missing certifications can block bids.
Final Takeaway
For Mali tenders:
- Donor-backed projects → Sunna, Fonroche.
- Budget-sensitive tenders → CHZ.
- Regional proven projects → Sunlurio is strong, with Burkina Faso experience that fits Mali’s needs.
- Certification-focused bids → ZGSM.
👉 Municipalities should focus on long lifecycle value: lower replacement, reduced maintenance, and reliable lighting for citizens.
📥 Download Compliance-Ready Tender Package
📞 Contact Sunlurio Team
