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Nairobi Champions Electrotechnology Standards for Africa’s Sustainable Future
By John Toris
Building Quality Infrastructure for Industrial Growth
A premier gathering of African and global electrotechnical leaders opened in Nairobi with a strong call to action, urging the development of robust quality infrastructure to strengthen Africa’s industrial competitiveness and integration into global markets.
The event marked the 10th Anniversary of the IEC-Africa Regional Centre and the 1st Africa Quality Infrastructure in Electrotechnology Week. It brought together industry experts, policymakers, and government leaders to chart Africa’s path toward technological advancement.
In her opening address, Esther Ngari, Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), emphasized the importance of the gathering. “We are humbled to host this premier meeting of key stakeholders from across Africa and the globe,” she said. “To see this room with brilliant minds from the electrotechnical field shows the importance of the work we are here to do.”
Reflecting on the establishment of the IEC-Africa Regional Centre in 2015, Ngari described it as a decisive and visionary step that has evolved into a vital engine for capacity building, a catalyst for collaboration, and a bridge connecting African institutions with the broader IEC family.
Echoing the theme “Innovate for a Sustainable Future,” she urged participants to act. “This is not just a reflection, it is a call to action. A call to deepen our commitment to building a strong, quality infrastructure that supports Africa’s industrialization and global competitiveness,” she said.
Additionally, she highlighted Africa’s pivotal position in the clean energy transition and digital transformation, noting that international standards form the foundation of trust in modern economies.
“They are not merely technical documents; they build confidence in our markets and ensure the safety and reliability of our technologies,” she affirmed.
Esther Ngari, Managing Director Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), delivering her keynote address.
Advancing Energy Transformation Through Standards
Representing the Chief Guest, Engineer George Nyongayo from the State Department of Energy, described the conference as a convergence of leaders, innovators, and policymakers focused on renewal and action.
He stressed the urgency of Africa’s energy transformation: “Africa’s energy future is not a distant aspiration, it is a present necessity.”
Citing the continent’s vast renewable potential, including 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources, he noted that the real challenge lies not in availability but in fast, safe, and efficient deployment.
He underscored that standardized, quality-assured electrotechnology is essential to achieving this goal and ensuring that Africa’s growth aligns with global sustainability objectives.
The opening ceremony set a determined tone for the week-long event, positioning harmonized electrotechnical standards as key to unlocking Africa’s sustainable economic potential and securing its place in the global clean energy landscape.
Lastly, the IEC-AFRIC 10th Anniversary and the 1st Africa Quality Infrastructure in Electrotechnology Week aim to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and advance the adoption of international standards to drive Africa’s technological growth.
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