Smart Energy: Kenya, Huawei Deepen Partnership to Accelerate Smart and Renewable Energy Transition

By Gedion Nzyoki -

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 11, 2026 — Kenya has stepped up efforts to modernise its electricity system and accelerate the transition to renewable energy through deeper collaboration with technology giant Huawei.

From left: Sean Lixiang, Director, Huawei Digital Power Department; Eng. Maureen Mwaniki, Director of Public Affairs, Huawei Kenya; Alex Wachira, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Energy; Eng. Mary Njau, representative of Kenya Power; and Eng. Peter Njenga, CEO of KenGen, during the Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi. Photo: KenGen Kenya (Facebook)

The State Department for Energy under the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, in partnership with Huawei Kenya, convened the Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026 on Tuesday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi.

The high-level forum brought together government officials, industry executives, technology leaders, development partners and research institutions to discuss strategies for strengthening Kenya’s power system and supporting the integration of more renewable energy into the national grid.

The half-day forum featured discussions on Kenya’s energy development trends and challenges, grid-forming energy storage solutions, smart-grid technology and wireless network solutions.

It also featured a keynote address by Huawei, a Green Smart Energy Initiative ceremony and an open discussion on the next steps for Kenya’s energy sector.

Kenya Seeks Stronger and More Resilient Power Grid

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira said Kenya has made significant progress in developing a clean and increasingly renewable-based electricity system.

Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, State Department for Energy, delivers his remarks during the Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy

Wachira pointed to the country’s abundant geothermal, hydro, wind and solar resources as a strong foundation for achieving a sustainable energy future.

However, he warned that the growing integration of variable renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, requires Kenya to strengthen the flexibility, stability and resilience of its electricity system.

“The energy transition is therefore not simply about adding more renewable generation. It is also about modernising the electricity grid and transforming the way we plan, operate and manage the power system,” said PS Wachira.

He said smart grids, advanced grid management systems, improved forecasting, digitalisation, demand-side flexibility, power electronics and energy storage will be critical to strengthening grid stability.

According to Wachira, these technologies will also help Kenya integrate higher levels of renewable energy, improve grid resilience and reduce technical and commercial losses across the electricity system.

Huawei Pledges Support for Kenya’s Energy Transition

Huawei Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s transition towards a smarter and more renewable-based energy system.

Speaking at the forum, Huawei Kenya Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Public Affairs James Sun Quan said the company was proud to partner with the State Department for Energy in advancing Kenya’s energy transition agenda.

“Huawei is proud to partner with the State Department for Energy on Kenya's energy transition journey. Technologies such as grid-forming energy storage and smart grid solutions can help Kenya integrate more renewable energy while keeping the grid stable and reliable, and we look forward to continuing this partnership to deliver practical solutions for the country's power sector,” said Sun Quan.

The partnership comes as Kenya seeks to maximise its renewable energy potential while addressing the technical challenges associated with integrating intermittent sources such as wind and solar into the national grid.

Focus Shifts to Practical Energy Solutions

Wachira challenged stakeholders in the energy sector to move beyond discussions and focus on practical, implementable solutions that can be deployed at scale.

He urged participants to consider not only the technologies available but also the investment required to deploy them, as well as the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to unlock their full potential.

“Kenya has a unique opportunity to position itself at the forefront of Africa's energy transition,” he said.

“We have the renewable energy resources, a growing technology ecosystem and a strong foundation in our energy sector.”

The Principal Secretary said he looked forward to seeing the discussions from the forum translated into partnerships, investments and practical solutions capable of shaping Kenya’s energy future.

The Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026 was attended by key players in the country’s energy sector, including Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Chairman Hon. Moses Mabonga and KenGen CEO Eng. Peter Njenga.

Huawei was represented by a delegation led by James Sun Quan, Deputy CEO for Public Affairs, Huawei Kenya.

The forum comes at a time when Kenya continues to position renewable energy at the centre of its long-term energy strategy, with geothermal, hydro, wind and solar power forming a significant part of the country’s electricity generation mix.

The discussions are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to modernise Kenya’s power infrastructure, improve grid reliability and create an enabling environment for increased investment in smart energy technologies.

The deeper Kenya-Huawei collaboration is expected to support the deployment of digital and energy-storage technologies while strengthening the country’s capacity to accommodate a growing share of renewable energy in its electricity system.