Lighting plan to bring PNG out of darkness

It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness, but that costs a fortune in Papua New Guinea.

So the World Bank wants to help.

The World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched a program to build up a solar lighting market in a country where only one in 10 people is connected to the national grid.

IFC Asia Pacific vice-president Karin Finklesten says the five-year project, launched on Tuesday, will encourage companies to sell small-scale solar lighting to PNG's 7.5 million people.

The IFC will establish and promote minimum product quality standards, provide companies with market analysis, help connect manufacturers and distributors and invest in educating consumers.

Ms Finklesten says solar lighting will boost business, allow children to study, cut household costs and help women stay safe on the streets.

"A lot people in PNG still live in darkness," Ms Finklesten told AAP.

"This will be first time they've had lighting in their homes."

The IFC's Lighting Papua New Guinea report shows locals currently spend up to $162 million a year on kerosene lanterns, battery-powered torches, candles and firewood.

But the lack of lighting doesn't just hit people in the hip pocket, it also affects study outside school, and families burning fuel for power risk chronic respiratory sickness and accidents. As well, the alternatives produce more carbon emissions.

Ms Finklesten said building a solar lighting market be a cheap, clean and sustainable solution.