Altech & Garamba National Park Provide Access to Energy to 6,500 Households in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

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Altech & Garamba National Park provide access to energy to 6,500 households in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Democratic Republic of the Congo (September 19, 2020) Garamba National Park and Altech, a leading distributor of renewable energy products in DRC, kicked off their partnership to provide access to energy to at least 6,500 households in northeastern DRC. The project, supported by African Parks, ICCN, and co - financed by the European Union, allows communities around the Garamba National Park to purchase a quality solar lantern or multi-light solar home system at a reduced price. Combining community development and biodiversity protection The project intends to contribute to an improved well-being and increased opportunities for the families that live around the park, and to further strengthen the partnership between Garamba National Park and the communities. The project is one of many of the park’s initiatives to foster local development, while reducing the pressure on its natural resources. “Together, let's protect nature and work for the development of the region! Garamba National Park improves access to energy for communities thanks to the financial support of European Union Funds”, said Thierry NORMAND, Director of Sustainable Development of Garamba National Park Quality solar products providing a more sustainable and affordable solution Altech was selected for its quality products, on-the-ground expertise, and local management. In the project, Altech will offer quality solar lanterns and pay-as-you-go solar lighting systems, a more sustainable and affordable solution compared to the kerosene lamps, candles and battery torches the majority of families in the region currently rely on. The partnership attracted Altech to open operations in the region including Aba, Djabir, Faradje and Tadu. Altech plans to continue to operate in these new markets and others after the conclusion of the partnership. “We are excited about the launch for two reasons: first, it helped us open operations in a new part of the country; and second because rural electrification in DRC sits around 1%. We hope to make a small dent in that for the communities around Garamba,”said Altech’s Co-CEO Washikala Malango. For more information, please contact [email protected]. About Altech Group Altech Group is the DRC market leader in the distribution of world-class, pay-as-you-go clean energy products and services. Since its founding in 2013, Altech has built a near-national distribution network, sold close to 200,000 products and impacted around 1,000,000 Congolese lives. About Garamba National Park Garamba, one of Africa’s oldest national parks and a World Heritage Site, is the last stronghold for the largest population of elephants and the last remaining Kordofan giraffe in the DRC. To stop the park’s destruction and bring stability to the area, African Parks Network signed an agreement in 2005 to manage Garamba with the Institut pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). .

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