Participants at the 12th Power & Energy Africa 2025 and the 10th Solar Africa Trade Exhibition at KICC/HANDOUTKenya has once again affirmed its leadership in Africa’s clean energy transition with the official opening of the 12th Power & Energy Africa 2025 and the 10th Solar Africa Trade Exhibition at KICC.
The high-profile event was inaugurated by Hilda Mpakany, Acting Director of the Energy Research and Development Directorate at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), representing CEO Justus Wabuyabo.
In her keynote address, Mpakany praised Expogroup Worldwide, the organisers of the exhibition, for creating a vital forum where global energy stakeholders converge to showcase innovation, forge partnerships, and influence the future of Africa’s energy landscape.
She noted that Kenya’s commitment to a cleaner, more inclusive energy future is being propelled by technological breakthroughs, particularly in the solar sector.
“Africa is blessed with enormous solar potential. This is not just an environmental asset—it’s an economic opportunity to power our homes, schools, hospitals, and enterprises,” Mpakany said.
She pointed to advancements in photovoltaic technology, battery storage, smart grids, and off-grid systems as key drivers in improving energy access, reliability, and affordability—particularly for underserved communities.
However, Mpakany emphasised the need for an integrated approach to energy development.
“To meet our growing and diverse energy needs, solar must be part of a broader, integrated energy mix,” she stated, urging a balanced strategy that incorporates solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and nuclear—evaluated through the “energy quadrilemma” of affordability, reliability, sustainability, and acceptability.
She also highlighted NuPEA’s role under the Energy Act 2019 in advancing nuclear energy development, research, and capacity building, reiterating the importance of innovation and human capital in creating resilient, inclusive energy systems.
Declaring the exhibition officially open, Mpakany called on participants to collaborate in accelerating energy access and sustainability across the continent.
Also speaking at the event was Eric Liu, CEO of Ningbo Deye ESS Technology Co., Ltd., one of the exhibition’s leading sponsors and a global frontrunner in hybrid inverters and energy storage systems (ESS).
Liu announced Deye’s strategic expansion into East Africa, naming Kenya as its regional hub.
The company, which holds over 60 per cent market share in South Africa’s ESS sector, is aiming to replicate that success across East Africa.
“We started in South Africa and became number one by listening to customers and delivering local solutions. Now, we’re bringing that same approach to Kenya—training engineers, supporting communities, and building tailored systems,” Liu said.
Since entering the Kenyan market five years ago, Deye has partnered with over 20 local companies and established a full-scale office in Nairobi, employing Kenyan professionals across sales, marketing, and technical roles.
The company is also investing heavily in engineering training to support sustainable service delivery.
With the exhibitions set to run over the next three days, stakeholders from more than 20 countries are expected to share innovations, sign deals, and explore the future of Africa’s rapidly evolving energy sector.
