Eveready East Africa has executed a major strategic pivot from its traditional battery distribution business toward an integrated clean energy platform.
Announced in early February 2026, this transformation addresses prolonged financial challenges that resulted in a negative equity position of Sh1.01 billion as of March 2024, stemming from years of losses in the legacy dry-cell segment.
The company now centres its operations on solar power, energy storage, clean cooking solutions, carbon market participation, and electric vehicle (EV) financing.
This repositioning leverages partnerships and its established brand recognition to capture emerging opportunities in Kenya’s renewable energy and e-mobility sectors.
Challenges in the Traditional Battery Business
Eveready’s historical core activity, including manufacturing and distributing dry-cell batteries under the iconic “Shika Paka Pawa” brand, faced sustained pressure from multiple factors:
- Increased competition from cheaper imported and illegal products.
- Rising operational costs.
- Closure of its Nakuru factory, resulting in significant job losses and the auction of associated land in 2016.
- Transition from manufacturing to importing and distributing battery products.
These issues contributed to persistent losses and erosion of equity. In 2023, the previous majority owner, East Africa Batteries Limited (EABL), divested its 35% stake to Dubai-based Invest & Africa FZCO, paving the way for new ownership to drive the turnaround.
The company listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in 2006 at Sh8.50 per share, but the share price declined sharply post-IPO and remained under pressure for years.
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Following the strategic shift announcement, the share price rose to Sh1.67 per share, recording a 28.5% gain over the three most recent trading sessions as of mid-February 2026.
Core Elements of the Strategic Transformation
Eveready has rebranded its offering under the Integrated Clean Energy Platform (ICEP), which aggregates technology, financing, installation, and after-sales support to deliver end-to-end solutions for institutions, corporates, schools, healthcare facilities, households, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Key focus areas include:
- Solar Power and Energy Storage — Partnerships with Huawei Technologies and Jinko Solar enable supply of commercial and industrial solar inverters, grid-connected systems, residential solar panels, battery backup solutions, and smart energy management and monitoring systems.
- Clean Cooking Solutions — Expansion into efficient, low-emission cooking technologies aligned with sustainability goals.
- Carbon Market Initiatives — Participation in voluntary carbon markets to generate and trade credits from clean energy projects.
- Electric Vehicle Financing — Collaboration with EV Jumla to provide asset-backed financing for commercial and private electric vehicles and motorcycles, targeting fleet operators and individual users.
Chief Operating Officer Sonia Karuma stated, “This transformation reflects our commitment to making clean, affordable, and reliable energy accessible, while building a resilient business positioned for long-term growth.”
Alignment with Market Trends and National Priorities
The pivot coincides with strong momentum in Kenya’s renewable energy and e-mobility sectors. Demand for solar solutions continues to rise, driven by grid constraints, rising energy costs, and policy support for clean energy adoption.
Similarly, the electric vehicle segment, particularly two- and three-wheelers, grows rapidly, supported by special tariffs from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and increasing operator interest.
Eveready aims to leverage its long-standing distribution network, brand equity, and NSE listing to gain market share in these high-growth areas.
The strategy supports national objectives of reducing fossil fuel dependency, improving urban air quality, and promoting economic inclusion through accessible clean energy and sustainable transport.
Financial and Market Outlook
The transformation is expected to restore financial stability by diversifying revenue streams away from the declining battery segment toward higher-margin clean energy and financing activities.
While the negative equity position presents a challenge, the shift under new ownership offers a pathway to profitability and renewed investor interest, as evidenced by the recent share price appreciation.
Success will depend on effective execution of partnerships, scaling infrastructure, and navigating regulatory requirements around battery safety, disposal, and electricity tariffs.
Looking Ahead
Eveready East Africa’s reinvention from a legacy battery distributor to an integrated clean energy platform represents a deliberate response to structural decline and a strategic alignment with Kenya’s renewable energy transition.
Through partnerships with Huawei Technologies, Jinko Solar, and EV Jumla, the company is positioning itself to deliver solar, storage, clean cooking, carbon, and EV financing solutions.
This repositioning, reflected in recent share price gains, signals potential for renewed growth and relevance in a sustainability-focused market.
For the most current financial and operational updates, refer to official announcements from Eveready East Africa PLC or the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Eveready Overview
Eveready battery Kenya are products from Eveready East Africa PLC, a long-established Kenyan manufacturer and marketer of batteries and related goods headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with a factory in Nakuru.
It produces dry-cell and car batteries along with flashlights and lighting products for East Africa.
Eveready East Africa Ltd is publicly listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange under the ticker EVRD, with major shareholders including East Africa Batteries Ltd and the Industrial & Commercial Development Corporation.
Eveready share: Because Eveready East Africa PLC is listed on the NSE, its shares can be traded through licensed brokers on the exchange.
Eveready Kenya contacts: The company’s contact details include phone numbers such as +254 (20) 298 0000 / +254 (20) 2216139, email info@eveready.co.ke, and locations like the MCFL Logistics Centre, Mombasa Road, Nairobi, and Nakuru branches.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
