Africa Gets Industrial Boost as Sun King Establishes First Local Manufacturing Hubs

Africa’s renewable energy ambitions are set to gain fresh momentum as solar energy giant Sun King prepares to launch its first large-scale manufacturing facilities on the continent.

The company is starting in Kenya, with a second plant planned for Nigeria, marking a major step toward local production, job creation, and sustainable industrial growth.

This move signals a decisive shift away from import-dependent supply chains toward homegrown manufacturing designed to serve Africa’s fast-expanding solar and consumer technology markets.

By bringing production closer to where its products are used, Sun King aims to cut costs, improve availability, and ensure that more economic value stays within African economies.

The new Kenyan facility is expected to begin with an annual capacity of up to 700,000 units, producing solar-powered televisions and smartphones engineered to run efficiently on Sun King’s off-grid solar systems.

Plans for a Nigerian plant will follow in the next phase, creating a twin-hub model that balances operations, shortens delivery times, and strengthens supply chains across the continent.

Speaking on the milestone, T. Patrick Walsh, CEO and Co-Founder of Sun King, said, “These facilities allow us to harness Africa’s talent and ingenuity to keep delivering affordable, high-quality products.” That talent, Sun King says, is central to its long-term vision of building a resilient, locally rooted industrial base that can support Africa’s clean energy transition. Each facility will employ locally, supported by technical training and upskilling programs that empower workers and open new career paths in advanced manufacturing.

Kenya’s government has welcomed the investment as a vote of confidence in its growing industrial sector. Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary at the State Department of Industry, called the project “a symbol of growing confidence in Kenya’s local manufacturing,” noting that it aligns with the country’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Nigeria’s leadership has echoed that sentiment, with Vice President Kashim Shettima affirming the government’s commitment to de-risking private investment and creating a self-sustaining renewable energy market.

For Sun King, local manufacturing is not only a way to reduce costs and carbon emissions but also a platform for faster innovation. Producing within Africa enables the company to adapt products more quickly to local conditions, improving durability, performance, and energy efficiency. “Opening our own facility gives us scale, flexibility, and a foundation to grow a resilient manufacturing ecosystem here in Africa,” said Kota Kojima, the company’s Chief Operating Officer.

The timing could not be more significant. Africa currently accounts for only about 2% of global manufacturing value, yet the continent’s population is set to double by 2050. Creating industries that generate skilled jobs is essential for inclusive economic growth, and Sun King’s facilities represent a meaningful step toward that goal.

At the same time, demand for clean, affordable energy continues to surge. Sun King now delivers over 330,000 solar kits every month across Africa, up from just 10,000 in 2017, and its products reach one in five Kenyan households. The company already employs nearly 40,000 people globally, 99 percent of them in Africa and Asia, reflecting its deep presence in the regions it serves.

Ultimately, Sun King’s decision to manufacture in Africa is a signal of belief in the continent’s ability to power itself. By producing locally, training its workforce, and designing for African realities, the company is helping build a cleaner, stronger, and more self-reliant energy future for the region.