ICSHP has successfully carried out some typical projects including Lighting-up Rural Africa, Scaling-up Development of Small Hydropower，China-Zambia-Ghana Renewable Energy Technology Transfer Project，World Small Hydro Power Development Report, Hydro Power for Today Forum, Small Hydropower Technical Guidelines for demonstration and promotion of SHP globally.
Africa continues to face critical challenges related to its energy sector, characterized by electricity rates as low as 20% and lack of access in rural areas. As a result, the Ministry of Commerce, UNIDO, and ICSHP have developed the ‘Lighting-up Rural Africa’ (LURA) Project to promote SHP for productive uses in selected countries. To date ICSHP has carried out 14 small hydropower projects in Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and other African Coutries, among which Shiwang’andu SHP plant was commissioned in December 2012. LURA provides a model for local economic and social development through small hydro power construction. The project has received the ample support and recognition of related UN agencies and African countries.