Kenya’s industrial landscape has long been dominated by images of cement kilns, textile mills, and steelworks. But in Kiambu County, a different kind of factory has just opened its doors—one powered by the sun and built for Africa’s renewable energy future.
Fresh from raising $156 million worth of financing, Sun King has inaugurated its first African manufacturing facility at Tatu City, a special economic zone just outside Nairobi. The move marks a significant milestone—not only for the company but for Kenya’s ambition to become a continental hub for sustainable manufacturing and green innovation.
A Facility Designed for Scale and Impact
The 7,600-square-metre plant is anything but symbolic. With an annual production capacity of up to 700,000 units, the facility is designed to support Sun King’s rapidly expanding African footprint. The first products off the line will include solar-powered televisions and smartphones, engineered to integrate seamlessly with Sun King’s solar systems.
According to Kota Kojima, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, the new factory provides “the scale to deliver more efficiently, the flexibility to innovate faster, and the foundation to grow a resilient manufacturing ecosystem here in Africa.” The company is already exploring expansion into other categories such as energy-efficient fans and freezers—devices that can help households and small businesses operate sustainably off the grid.
Sun King estimates that localizing production could replace more than $150 million worth of hardware imports over the next five years. “This facility allows us to harness Kenya’s talent and ingenuity to keep delivering on our promise,” said T. Patrick Walsh, Sun King’s Co-Founder and CEO.
Aligned with Kenya’s Industrial Vision
Kenya’s long-term blueprint, Vision 2030, places industrialization at the heart of its economic transformation agenda. Newer frameworks such as the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) reinforce this focus by encouraging private investment in manufacturing.
During the launch, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Industry, described the facility as “a symbol of growing confidence in Kenya’s local manufacturing.” From the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Isaac Kiva underscored how solar energy can power not only homes but the future of consumer electronics and job creation in Africa.
The event brought together leaders from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), ICT Authority, Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), and representatives from major banks including Stanbic, Citi, Absa, Co-operative, and KCB, signaling the strong alignment between industry, government, and finance.
Jobs, Skills, and Value Creation
At launch, the facility employs 90 people, 60 percent of whom are women. The company plans to scale that number to over 350 employees within five years. Sun King will partner with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and local universities to offer apprenticeships and internships, creating a clear pipeline from training to employment.
Dr. Wale Aboyade, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, emphasized that the plant represents a “long-term partnership to advance Africa’s manufacturing capability,” adding that Kenya has “the policy vision, the talent, and the drive to lead this transformation.”
A Glimpse into Africa’s Renewable Future
Beyond the jobs and investment, the decision to produce solar-powered televisions and smartphones locally is deeply symbolic. These are not luxury products—they are essential tools for education, communication, and commerce. When powered by solar energy, they become lifelines for millions living beyond the grid.
