RS Group And Solaraid Partner To Deliver Solar Light To 150,000 People Across Rural Africa

RS Group plc has announced a new three-year partnership with SolarAid to provide clean and safe solar lighting to 150,000 people living in rural African communities without electricity. Together, the two organisations aim to raise £1 million to support access to affordable solar lights and reduce dependence on harmful lighting sources such as kerosene lamps and candles.

The initiative forms an important part of RS Group’s 2030 ESG action plan. The company said the partnership reflects its ambition to contribute to a brighter and more sustainable world. Funding will come from a mix of corporate donations, matched employee contributions, RS PRO product support, fundraising campaigns, and gifts in kind. The goal is to strengthen SolarAid’s mission of building local solar businesses that address poverty and climate change at the same time.

According to SolarAid, just one solar light can benefit an entire household. It can reduce the use of kerosene, candles, or battery torches by up to 90 percent and cut household energy spending by 95 percent. Clean solar lighting also allows children to study safely after sunset for the first time. In addition, replacing traditional fuels lowers carbon emissions. A paraffin candle emits three times its own weight in carbon dioxide, while a kerosene lamp can release more than one tonne of carbon over three years.

Employee engagement will play a central role in the partnership. RS employees around the world will be encouraged to take part in fundraising activities, volunteering programmes, and awareness campaigns. The company’s technical experts are expected to support SolarAid’s repair programmes, including improvements to a Repair App that helps communities extend the life of solar lights through simple maintenance. Employees may also visit SolarAid-supported communities in Malawi and Zambia. A global fundraising challenge called Active for Change will invite staff to log physical activities to raise money. RS offers two paid volunteering days each year and hopes that half of its employees will use this time to support community initiatives.

SolarAid recently achieved full solar access in Kasakula, Malawi, where every household, school, and the local health clinic now has solar lighting under its Light a Village programme. Leaders from both organisations said the success shows that universal energy access is achievable when partners work together. The partnership also builds on RS Group’s earlier fundraising efforts, including nearly £1 million raised for The Washing Machine Project since 2020, reinforcing its long-term commitment to social impact.