Synkron Africa has opened an industrial automation training center in Nairobi aimed to strengthen technical skills among engineers working in manufacturing, energy, and industrial infrastructure across East Africa
- •The facility will provide hands-on training in industrial control systems commonly used in factories and power plants, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), control logic and automation diagnostics.
- •Engineers enrolled in the programs will work directly with industrial equipment used in modern production environments.
- •Founded in 2010, Synkron Africa specializes in industrial automation engineering and control systems integration.
“Engineers from this region have built a strong reputation for supporting complex automation projects across Africa. This training center allows us to scale that expertise, enabling more engineers to gain advanced automation skills locally and ensuring that knowledge continues to grow within the region,” said Kenneth Mantu, CEO of Synkron Africa.
Companies in East Africa have historically sent engineers abroad for specialized training when installing or maintaining complex automation systems, a process that increases costs and can delay technical support during plant operations.
By establishing a local training hub, Synkron aims to reduce reliance on overseas training while expanding the pool of engineers capable of operating and maintaining automated industrial systems.
“For many engineers in this region, advanced industrial training has traditionally required travelling overseas. That limits how many people can access these skills. Bringing this capability closer to home allows more engineers to develop practical expertise and apply these technologies where they are needed most,” said Julius Karanja, Manager of the Center for Development of Electronic Devices at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT).
Participants completing the training programs will receive certification from global technology providers including Siemens. The programs are designed for engineers working in sectors where automated control systems are increasingly central to operations including manufacturing plants, power generation facilities and large industrial processing sites.
“Advanced industrial technologies can only deliver their full value when the people operating them have the right skills. Expanding access to world-class automation training locally will help build the technical capacity needed to support industry across the region,” said Rachel Lutwama, East Africa Regional Head at Siemens.
The company says it has delivered more than 1,000 automation projects across 46 African countries, supporting manufacturers including Coca-Cola, Diageo and Heineken, as well as utilities such as KenGen and Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
