Global clean energy firm targets Kenya’s untapped solar market

Global clean energy solutions provider Bluetti has entered the Kenyan market, seeking to tap the country's vast but underutilised solar energy potential through affordable off-grid power solutions and flexible financing models.

The company is introducing a range of portable power stations, home energy storage systems and solar products, anchored on a pay-as-you-go model aimed at making clean energy more accessible to households, small businesses and rural communities.

Bluetti's Kenya Business Manager Barry Yang said Kenya offers significant growth opportunities as demand for reliable electricity continues to rise despite the country's abundant sunshine.

"Kenya has enormous potential for solar energy. We want to make clean power more affordable through our pay-as-you-go products while working closely with local distributors to expand access to reliable energy," said Yang during the company's market launch in Nairobi.

The company said it will partner with local distributors by providing technology, financing and risk-sharing support to accelerate the adoption of solar energy solutions across the country.

Beyond selling products, Bluetti plans to invest in technical training and community programmes to build skills in the renewable energy sector and create employment opportunities for young people.

"We want to train technicians and equip people with the skills needed to install and maintain solar systems while supporting the growth of the clean energy industry," Yang said.

Bluetti is also leveraging experience gained in Nigeria, where it successfully deployed similar solar financing and distribution models, as it expands its footprint across Africa.

Experts say Kenya is well positioned to become one of Africa's leading solar markets, supported by abundant sunshine, increasing electricity demand and a growing need for affordable backup power for homes and businesses.

Prof. Abel Meru, an entrepreneurship and business management expert, said solar adoption in Kenya is approaching a tipping point, driven by increasing digital connectivity and the need for dependable electricity.

"Kenya has one of the best solar resources in the world, yet we have not fully harnessed it. Once awareness grows and financing becomes more accessible, solar adoption will accelerate rapidly," he said.

Meru likened the potential growth of solar energy to the rapid uptake of mobile money, arguing that affordable renewable energy could transform livelihoods by powering homes, businesses and digital services, particularly in underserved communities.

He noted that while solar systems require an upfront investment, they offer long-term savings by reducing monthly electricity costs and providing reliable power in areas where grid connectivity remains limited.

With an estimated 600 million Africans still lacking access to electricity, industry players see off-grid solar as one of the continent's biggest investment opportunities, with Kenya expected to play a central role in that growth due to its favourable renewable energy resources and expanding clean energy market.