Bringing Light to the African Energy Sector
The African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), part of the African Development Bank, aimed to stimulate energy sector reform through thoughtful, open dialogue. Their goal: a multilingual journal that would simplify complex energy issues and further discussions across governments, utilities and private stakeholders.
Our team developed both the Lightbulb Journal and its supporting website from the ground up. This required a highly collaborative, cross-continental process, working with editors, contributors and ALSF’s dedicated team. The result was a platform that builds sector capacity through compelling editorial and digital reach.
Design That Reflects Diversity
With no existing brand guidelines, we led the visual strategy from concept to delivery. Our design needed to be bold, modern and proudly rooted in all nations of Africa, without falling into outdated or stereotypical motifs. Using abstract, shape-based illustrations and a warm, vibrant palette, we created a unique visual language that could be adapted and progressed across each journal issue.
Each article included custom illustrations inspired by the continent’s landscapes, people or themes. A clean layout and simple fonts ensured clarity and impact across three languages – English, French and Portuguese. The final product was an engaging journal that stands out across print and digital formats.
A Digital Environment to Drive Expansion
The supporting Lightbulb website extended the journal’s mission into a dynamic, user-friendly space. Built with a flexible CMS, it allows ALSF to upload new journals issues, articles, and even podcasts with ease. Built-in moderation tools and email marketing integrations help grow and manage a global subscriber base.
Designed with SEO best practice and responsive functionality, the site adapts beautifully across devices. A reliable global CDN ensures secure access in even the most remote regions. Together, the journal and website now work in tandem to drive ALSF’s communication strategy and build knowledge across the African energy sector.
