Founded in 2022 by Haitian entrepreneurs, the Institut Macaya has just completed its first — and so far only — project: equipping Place Saint-Pierre, in the heart of Pétion-Ville, with efficient solar lighting and free internet access. It was the institution’s executive director, Jean-Paul Faubert, who detailed the project in an interview with Le Nouvelliste.

The initial observation was simple, almost stark. “The square was in total darkness most nights due to the lack of electricity, which meant it was not frequented during those hours,” he explained. To remedy this, the Institute installed solar streetlights supplied by the French company Fonroche Lighting, whose announced lifespan exceeds ten years. Each unit can be managed individually and remotely through a mobile application, allowing the light intensity to be adjusted depending on the time of day or the nature of activities taking place in the square.