From solar lamps to large-scale production lines, Sun King is redefining what “Made in Africa” means, with its new Tatu City manufacturing hub signalling a shift from import reliance to homegrown energy innovation, a move that strengthens Africa’s clean-tech resilience.
A Strategic Rise: Tatu City’s Role in Kenya’s Industrial Vision
Tatu City, a 5,000-acre mixed-use development just north of Nairobi, has become Kenya’s flagship SEZ.
Home to over 100 companies and 25,000 workers, it offers investors generous incentives, including lower corporate taxes, duty-free imports, and zero-rated VAT, making it the ideal platform for Sun King’s manufacturing ambitions.
Unveiled on October 24, 2025, the facility consolidates production, refurbishment, and warehousing under one roof, with an initial capacity of 700,000 units annually.
The focus: solar-compatible televisions and smartphones engineered to operate efficiently in low-power settings. These devices are built to integrate seamlessly with Sun King’s off-grid solar systems, powering everything from rural homes to small businesses.
By localising production, Sun King trims supply chains, shortens delivery times, and enhances local value addition, shielding Kenya from the global disruptions that recently rattled solar imports.
Co-founder and CEO T. Patrick Walsh added, “Our mission is simple: deliver top-quality products at prices families can afford. Kenya’s talent and ingenuity make that possible.”
The opening ceremony drew high-profile guests, including Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for Industry, and officials from KEREA, NEMA, KEBS, and financial partners such as Stanbic, Citi, Absa, Co-operative, and KCB, a testament to the factory’s role as a public-private catalyst for green industrialisation.
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Building Skills, Creating Jobs
Kenya’s manufacturing sector contributes just 7.8% to GDP, well below the 15% Vision 2030 target. Sun King’s facility directly supports that goal, launching with 90 direct jobs and targeting 350 within five years as operations scale.
To sustain that growth, the company is teaming up with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and local universities to train the next generation of solar technicians.
Apprenticeships and internships will focus on solar assembly, electronics, and sustainable production, equipping young Kenyans with practical, in-demand skills in a sector central to the country’s economic future.
Sun King’s Reach: One in Five Kenyan Homes Powered
Sun King’s expansion builds on an already dominant footprint. Headquartered in Nairobi, the company powers one in five Kenyan households, delivering over 100,000 solar kits per month locally and 330,000 kits continent-wide, which is a massive leap from just 10,000 in 2017.
Globally, Sun King now serves over 100 million customers in 60+ countries, providing solar lanterns, phone chargers, TVs, fans, freezers, and irrigation pumps. Its pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model, starting at just KES 25 ($0.19) per day, has redefined affordability in off-grid energy.
Recent financing moves demonstrate its scale. A $156 million securitisation, backed by Citi, Absa, and others, is set to deliver 1.4 million additional solar products and smartphones in Kenya, adding to the 3.7 million units financed through a 2023 deal.
According to GOGLA, Sun King now commands 38% of the global PAYG solar market, making it the undisputed leader in decentralised solar access.
Why It Matters: Kenya’s Path to Clean Energy Sovereignty
With over 90% of Kenya’s power already sourced from renewables but 25% of citizens still off-grid, local manufacturing could be the missing link.
Sun King’s facility strengthens supply resilience, reduces costs, and advances the Big Four Agenda’s manufacturing pillar alongside Vision 2030’s industrial goals.
Its commitment to sustainability runs deep: the plant integrates circular economy principles through refurbishment lines and e-waste recycling partnerships with EPROK, ensuring responsible disposal of used components.
This is a model for Africa’s green industrial future. From local jobs and cleaner air to stronger supply chains and export-ready innovation, Sun King’s Tatu City hub could redefine what “Made in Kenya” means for the solar age.
The Big Picture
By anchoring manufacturing in Kenya, Sun King joins a growing wave of firms transforming Africa from an energy consumer to an energy producer.
Sun King Solar: Affordable Clean Energy Solutions Across Africa
Sun King, formerly known as Greenlight Planet, is a leading solar energy company providing reliable and affordable solar-powered products to millions of households across Africa and Asia.
The Sun King Company specialises in solar lighting, home systems, and appliances designed to bring clean energy to off-grid communities.
In Kenya, Sun King Kenya plays a major role in expanding energy access through partnerships with microfinance institutions and local agents.
Customers can reach support through the Sun King customer care number for assistance with product installation, payments, or maintenance.
The company’s wide range of products available through the Sun King distributors network includes solar lanterns, solar home systems, and entertainment kits.
The Sun King Solar Home 600, one of its flagship systems, powers multiple bulbs, phone charging ports, and even appliances such as TVs and radios.
For entertainment enthusiasts, the Sun King Solar TV combines low energy use with crystal-clear visuals, perfect for rural households.
Those exploring Sun King Solar price lists will find flexible pay-as-you-go options and instalment plans tailored to different income levels, ensuring affordability without compromising quality.
Guided by its mission and vision, Sun King aims to eradicate energy poverty by delivering sustainable, affordable solar energy to every home, empowering families and communities toward a brighter, greener future.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
