The lighting project was initiated by Thorn’s local partner, M. Sidiky Oumar Traore of ESOT, and has proved an overwhelming success making Mali the pride of West Africa. Having finished a similar, but smaller, event in Senegal three years ago he approached the Malian president, Amadou Toumani Touré, with a lighting plan to give the capital Bamako a facelift using Thorn equipment.

Lighting is a difficult aspect of urban planning: it can make or mar the night-time environment. Therefore, Thorn commissioned the aid of lighting designers CLSF (Concepteur Lumière Sans Frontière), headed by Roger Narboni, to help light the Presidential Palace, various main streets, two bridges and numerous iconic landmarks, including the triangular Monument de la Paix and the aptly named Independence Monument. The high-tech lighting, using 3,400 exterior luminaires and columns, rejuvenates the city’s streets and architecture. 

Thorn’s lighting contract to enhance the city covers all types of exterior lighting. Some 700 Civic lanterns alone were installed. Among other luminaires were 238 Oracle lanterns, large quantities of Contrast and Qba floodlights, LED Candles and Alumet lighting columns, and special LED Corniche fittings.

Responsible: Emmanuel Tatin, Thorn International Sales