TIA invites proposals for technologies to support the deployment of context-appropriate, market-ready, off-grid solar public lighting solutions in informal settlements. This call focuses on the Marikana Informal Settlement in Philippi East, Cape Town and seeks to demonstrate innovative approaches to improving public lighting to enhance safety, mobility and access to basic municipal services in unelectrified, high-density informal settlement environments.
The Call is released as part of the Viability and Validation of Innovation for Service Delivery Programme (VVISDP), an initiative of the DSTI to support the piloting, demonstration and deployment of technologies and innovations that support the delivery of basic services in Municipalities. The VVISDP programme is implemented by TIA.
The objectives of the VVISDP programmes are to:
• test and pilot technologies for service delivery
• support the adoption of technologies to improve the delivery of basic services
• learn by doing, and to test innovative models for delivering services
BACKGROUND
Several informal settlements within South African metropolitan areas remain unconnected to the electricity grid due to land tenure, ownership and planning constraints that require lengthy resolution processes. In the absence of grid electricity, these settlements lack conventional public lighting, which is typically dependent on fixed electrical infrastructure.
The absence of adequate public lighting undermines personal safety, restricts night-time mobility, and limits access to municipal services such as water points, sanitation facilities and community infrastructure often located at the periphery of settlements. In Marikana Informal Settlement, these challenges are compounded by narrow pedestrian pathways, dense housing layouts and widespread illegal electricity connections, which make conventional pole-mounted or high-mast lighting unsafe and impractical.
This context necessitates innovative, decentralised, off-grid solar lighting solutions that are safe, scalable and suitable for installation in constrained informal settlement environments.
PURPOSE OF THE CALL
The purpose of this Innovation Call is to invite applications for funding to support the deployment of commercially ready solar-powered public lighting solutions that can:
• Improve outdoor lighting and visibility in unelectrified informal settlements;
• Contribute to pedestrian safety and night-time mobility;
• Support access to basic municipal and community services; and
• Demonstrate scalable models for informal settlement public lighting.
• Limit safety and liability risks to all parties.
Priority lighting areas within Marikana Informal Settlement have been identified through community-led mapping and engagement processes
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
• Technical feasibility and scalability (30%)
• Appropriateness for informal settlement environments (30%)
• Community driven approach / involvement and training approach (20%)
• Robustness of post-implementation support model (20%)
Closing Date: 04 March 2026 @ 17:00