Chint opens smart meter manufacturing factory in Nairobi

Chint Global’s new smart meter manufacturing facility is aimed primarily at serving the Kenyan market but also the broader East African region.

The new factory at the Graylands Industrial Park in the southeastern Nairobi suburb of Machakos will produce a range of single and three-phase smart meters, including the CHD130 single-phase DIN-rail meter, the CHS120 single-phase smart meter and the CHS320 three-phase smart meter, to meet the diverse needs of residential and commercial customers.

With a planned maximum production capacity of 400,000 meters per year and a quick assembly line, the factory is expected to become a key player in the region’s energy sector.

The initial employment is 40 people, of whom 90% are local staff, and the factory is expected to achieve a localisation rate of 30%-40% for its products, increasing as the facility grows.

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“Today marks a significant step forward in Chint’s global strategy and our commitment to East Africa. Our new factory in Kenya is not just a manufacturing site; it is a beacon of innovation, sustainability and economic growth for the region,” said Lily Zhang, President of Chint Global.

“We are confident that this facility will become a shining star among our global factories, illuminating the path towards a more sustainable and electrified future for East Africa.”

The Nairobi factory is Chint Global’s tenth overseas factory and its second in Africa after Egypt.

Speaking at the opening, Joy Brenda Masinde, Chairman of KPLC, described the introduction of Chint’s advanced metering solutions as a game-changer for KPLC.

“These meters will enable us to provide our customers with accurate billing, reduce losses, and improve the overall efficiency of our energy distribution. This is not just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in Kenya’s future.”

In addition to Kenya, the 4,000m2 factory is considered strategically positioned to supply products to other East African countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC and Somalia.

Chint’s stated ambition in the region is to capture a top three market share within three years and the top position within five years.