Kenya has taken a giant step toward positioning itself to compete in the fast-growing $800 billion global devices market, as the country unveiled K-Elec, a major new entrant into its manufacturing ecosystem.
The launch of the South Korean electronics giant in Kenya signals rising investor confidence and a decisive shift in East Africa’s ambition to build a modern electronics-assembly hub capable of supplying the continent with affordable home and industrial technology devices.
Speaking at the official opening of the K-Elec Kenya Factory and Brand Launch, principal secretary for ICT and the digital Economy, Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, said the investment powers Kenya’s rise in the global multi-billion dollar electronics market.
“The new facility strengthens the country’s capacity to produce devices at scale and nurture advanced technical skills. Kenya’s device-assembly ecosystem is accelerating rapidly, now with the capacity to produce over 8 million smartphones annually,” he said.
K-Elec, a South Korean electronics company with international operations spanning the Middle East and Africa, brings with it decades of manufacturing expertise.
The company produces home appliances, including fridges, televisions and a growing line of beauty-tech products.
It maintains regional operations in more than 15 countries, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Djibouti, Senegal and Angola. Its Dubai regional headquarters further supports distribution across Africa, with Kenya now serving as its East African stronghold.
Kenya’s newest factory, located at Sarin EPZ in Syokimau, will assemble the first made-in-Kenya fridges and TVs under the K-Elec brand. Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui hailed the launch as a national industrialisation milestone.
“We welcome Korean technology company K-Elec, which has officially launched the first made-in-Kenya TVs and fridges, a proud moment for our country,” he said.
Kinyanjui added that the partnership between the South Korean electronics company’s leadership and the East African country’s investors shows that Kenya remains a preferred investment destination.
The significance for Kenya and East Africa cannot be overstated, as K-Elec’s investment generates jobs, accelerates technology transfer, and enhances local industrial value.
The entry of K-Elec advanced Korean technology and skills-transfer programmes further adds to a maturing devices-assembly ecosystem, which is supported by pioneers such as East Africa Device Assembly Kenya.
Kinyanjui stressed that the investment builds local value chains, reduces import reliance and reinforces the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya agenda that seeks to position the country as a competitive producer and not a consumer.
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