NAIROBI – Chinese solar product manufacturers emerged as a significant highlight at the 12th Power and Energy Africa 2025 expo, held from Thursday to Saturday in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The event, which convened over 150 exhibitors from more than 25 countries, showcased a range of renewable energy technologies, with Chinese innovations drawing substantial interest from local entrepreneurs and farmers.

Elijah Kairu, a 41-year-old solar entrepreneur operating in Kenya’s chilly Mount Kenya highlands, expressed particular interest in Chinese solar water heaters. “I was impressed with Chinese solar water heaters that can efficiently convert sunlight into warm water for bathing, especially during the cold seasons,” Kairu told Xinhua on Friday. He visited the booth of Jiangsu Micoe Solar Energy Company, which presented advanced solar heaters as a viable alternative to grid electricity or gas heating. Zuo Shuaishuai, general sales director for Jiangsu Micoe, noted that the company has specifically developed products for cold climates and areas with limited sunlight, emphasizing their ability to retain heat for extended periods and reduce household dependence on conventional energy sources.

In the agricultural sector, Ismail Boru, a horticulture farmer from Isiolo County in northern Kenya, highlighted the potential of solar-powered irrigation. Previously reliant on expensive diesel pumps for his 50-acre farm in an arid zone, Boru is now keen to adopt Chinese-made solar pumps to ensure a more reliable water supply and protect his business from unpredictable weather patterns. He identified Zhejiang Fullwill Electric Company as an ideal partner for his farming needs. Scarlett Chen, general manager of Zhejiang Fullwill Electric Company, affirmed that Chinese-manufactured solar equipment offers African farmers enhanced control over their water resources.

Further demonstrating market relevance, Beebee Jump Technology’s booth attracted considerable attention for its innovative compact home solar kits. Wellington Bungei, a solar system distributor in Baringo County, northern Kenya, praised the Shenzhen-based firm’s pay-as-you-go solar technology, which significantly lowers the entry barrier for lower-income households in rural villages. Duncan Njagi, regional director for East Africa at Expo Group, the event organizer, attributed the popularity of Chinese exhibitors to their effective ability to meet the specific needs of African consumers, underscoring a strategic alignment between supply and demand in the continent’s burgeoning clean energy market.