Lafarge and Total yesterday launched dual branded containers which will be stationed at Total Zambia fuel stations and will be selling solar lamps and cement.
The lamps which are known as Awango have a two hour sunlight recharge and can last up to 48 hours and are famed as safe alternative to candles and electric light bulbs.The micro solar lamps are also equipped with a phone charging capability.
Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Miles Sampa launched the new product yesterday in Lusaka.
“When I was informed of this initiative I was happy to see that private companies are working in complementing Government efforts to serve the customers interest in the trade industry.This container will not only allow the public to easily access the product in an easy and safe way but will also create additional employment to people who will be selling in these stores,” he said.
Mr Sampa said he was informed that the aim of the Lafarge and Total partnership was to provide the market in Zambia with building materials whilst making it sustainable and environmentally friendly.
“Government’s focus is on the local market development, tax policy, consumer preferences, standardization and quality assurance and protection of local manufacturing from unfair trading practices. These actions will help create a business friendly environment to allow private partnership and other business to succeed in the country,” he said.
Lafarge chief executive officer, Emmanuel Rigaux said at the launch that Total Zambia and Lafarge cooperated together to jointly develop the container to improve proximity to the customers of key products which were critical for sustainable development.
“In Zambia, there exists huge potential for the development of renewable energy sources such as solar. What our partnership does with Total Zambia is allow low income communities to meet some of their basic everyday needs by introducing “Awango by Total”, a line of innovative reliable solar lighting and phone charging solutions,” he said. Mr Rigaux said 10 dual branded containers would be distributed across the country to make cement accessible in Zambia’s rural areas.
Total managing director, Damien Ricour said Total group was striving to enhance its position as an energy provider by being committed to “Better Energy”. He said the implementation of these dual branded containers supported the company’s ambition to provide access to energy to the whole of Zambia.
“The Awango by Total range of solar lamps which will be sold in the container is designed to supplement this aim by providing reliable low cost lighting and phone charging solutions to communities that have no access or little access to electricity.
At the same time, these stores will also provide the public with easy access to a wide range of building material manufactured by Lafarge,” he said.
Mr Ricour said Total Zambia together with Lafarge, had a growth strategy in Zambia to support and be a part of the impressive growth and development of Zambia.
Fantabulous business innovation!!!! It deserves to be commissioned by a Deputy Minister
And then ZESCO will soon be the thing of the past. We shall start cooking with LPG .
These are small scale products that the local firms should be championing not these multi nationals.
Guess what Total South Africa, Total Tanzania, and Total Namibia have been selling these products at thier petrol stations since March 2014 not new.
So what’s the problem with Zambia starting a year later? You daft
This is only the beginning of a whle new series of innovative products Made in Africa by Africans for Africans.
The solar products are made in China not africa and Total and Lafarge take the profits to europe so where is the Made in Africa by Africans come in……..
How can these conglomerate giants be allowed to own these temba’s.They should have left this business to small busineses to distribute and sell these products while these elephants supply the stock.