Product journey

From an off-grid healthcare idea to the IDùnnú lantern

IDùnnú began with an off-grid healthcare use case and evolved through repeated testing, user feedback and hardware programmes.

Lagos, Nigeria2016Off-grid households, clinics and productive users

IDùnnú solar lantern manufactured by Quadloop

Quadloop’s flagship lantern was not a one-step invention. It developed through field feedback, material changes and access to fabrication training.

Background

Quadloop’s founders set out to build locally manufactured energy products using recoverable components.

The challenge

The first lantern, intended for rural off-grid hospitals, proved too fragile in use.

Quadloop’s approach

The team paused sales, redesigned the enclosure and continued prototyping through multiple versions.

Delivery

GE Garage experience in 2018–2019 and I-Fair participation in 2022 contributed fabrication and prototyping capability.

Outcome

Quadloop confirms that nearly 2,000 IDùnnú lanterns have been produced to date. The product is designed to incorporate up to 70% e-waste-derived materials.

70%

Recovered material share

APRI reports that the current IDùnnú lantern uses 70% e-waste material.

Source

Nearly 2,000

Lanterns produced

Current production figure confirmed by Quadloop; it replaces the dated APRI profile figure.

Source

Sources and acknowledgements

Africa Policy Research Institute

Independent profile of the IDùnnú product journey.

Solar Impulse Foundation

IDùnnú listing in the Solar Impulse Solutions Explorer.

Build the next story

Turn a sustainability goal into practical community energy.

Partner with Quadloop

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