Atlas Copco has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to East Africa, unveiling fresh investments in manufacturing, mining, infrastructure and sustainable industrial technologies as it celebrates 90 years of operations in Kenya.
The engineering solutions provider, which manages operations across approximately 14 countries from its Nairobi hub, says East Africa remains one of its fastest-growing markets despite prevailing global economic uncertainty.
President of Atlas Copco’s Power Technique Service Division, Stefan Vertriest, said the company continues to see strong growth prospects across multiple sectors, driven by rapid industrialisation and rising infrastructure investments.
“We see development in almost every business area where we operate. Mining is growing, manufacturing is expanding, and we continue to invest because we believe the future for East Africa is very promising,” he said.
Atlas Copco operates through four global business areas and 24 divisions worldwide, with about 13 to 14 divisions currently active in Kenya. The company has recently expanded its footprint by introducing its Industrial Technique business to support the region’s growing vehicle assembly and manufacturing industries, while also strengthening its industrial cooling and dewatering solutions portfolio.
Regional General Manager for East and Central Africa Raphael Kiandiko said East Africa’s ongoing industrial transformation is creating new business opportunities across several sectors.
“New industries are emerging, mining is scaling up across the region, and we continue identifying new segments where we can bring value. The region continues to offer tremendous opportunities,” he said.
The company attributes much of its regional success to its extensive after-sales service network, which supports equipment throughout its operational lifecycle rather than focusing solely on sales. Some Atlas Copco machines supplied to customers have remained operational for nearly 50 years through continuous maintenance and technical support.
“We never let down a customer. Our technicians are on the ground, close to customers, and that local presence has been our strength for more than 150 years,” Vertriest said.
Looking ahead, Atlas Copco is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence, connected equipment and remote monitoring into its service strategy. Engineers based in Nairobi now monitor thousands of connected machines across East Africa, enabling predictive maintenance that minimises downtime and improves operational efficiency.
The company is also accelerating investments in energy-efficient technologies, including hybrid power systems, battery energy storage, variable-speed compressors and solar-powered lighting solutions as industries seek to lower operating costs while reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking during the celebrations, Acting Ambassador of Sweden to Kenya Sophie Hilbom Kalin said the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement provides a strong platform for expanding trade and investment between Kenya and Europe.
Although current trade volumes remain relatively modest, Kalin said the agreement presents significant opportunities for more Swedish companies to establish operations in Kenya while opening new export opportunities for Kenyan businesses into European markets.
“I think there is a demand and that can increase a lot. We do have a free trade agreement between the European Union and Kenya, which should create the conditions for trade and investment to flow between Europe and Kenya. So, it’s definitely great potential,” she said.
According to the envoy, about 40 Swedish companies currently operate in Kenya, with Atlas Copco among the country’s longest-established Swedish investors. She added that Sweden is encouraging more businesses to invest in Kenya, while calling for predictable policy and regulatory frameworks to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.
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