 The discovery of the phenomenon known as localised surface plasmon resonance, LSPR, has provided the basis for many research areas, ranging from material science to biosensing. LSPR has since been viewed as a transduction platform that could yield affordable, portable devices for a multitude of applications. This review aims to outline the potential applications within developing countries and the challenges that are likely to be faced before the technology can be effectively employed. This article was authored by Jules L. Hammond, Niko Bala, Sarah D. Ruffey and others.