Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Intersolar Africa 2027 is set to take place on March 16-17 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together the brightest minds in solar energy.
As Africa’s premier B2B solar exhibition and conference, the event will host around 100 exhibitors, 3,000+ visitors, and 250+ conference attendees from across the renewable energy spectrum.
Intersolar Africa takes place in Nairobi, KE.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Intersolar Africa takes place on March 16-17, 2027 at Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 2Scale and Focus: The event will host over 100 exhibitors and attract more than 3,000 visitors from the solar industry.
- 3Organiser: Intersolar Africa is organized by Solar Promotion International GmbH, with more details available on their official website.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include solar developers, EPC contractors, investors, and policymakers.
- 5Entry: Registration is open for exhibitors and visitors; check the official site for details.
Why visit
Intersolar Africa offers unparalleled networking opportunities with industry leaders and decision-makers. Attendees can explore the latest advancements in photovoltaics, energy storage, and grid integration. The event provides a platform for discovering business opportunities and shaping the future of solar energy in Africa.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at Intersolar Africa allows companies to showcase their innovations to a targeted audience of industry professionals. It offers direct access to key decision-makers and fosters partnerships that can lead to long-term success in the solar market. Exhibitors can also benefit from high visibility and promotional opportunities.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Solar developers and EPC contractors
Investors and analysts in renewable energy
Policymakers and government officials
Manufacturers and suppliers of solar technology
Installers and system integrators
Utilities and energy service providers
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Manufacturers of photovoltaic equipment
Energy storage solution providers
EPC contractors for solar projects
Service providers in the solar sector
Research institutes focused on renewable energy
Investors in clean energy technologies
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Photovoltaic modules and systems
Energy storage technologies and systems
E-Mobility solutions and infrastructure
Solar thermal technologies
Grid integration solutions
Solar power plants and components
Location & Facilities
Venue
Sarit Expo Centre
Nairobi, Kenya
Facilities
Parking
Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Sarit Expo Centre for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Who runs the show
Organisers
AHK Services Eastern Africa Ltd, the session will provide valuable insights for investors
Organiser
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Nairobi, KE
Why it matters
On 2027-03-16 to 2027-03-17, Intersolar Africa in Nairobi covering Photovoltaic modules and systems, Energy storage technologies and systems, E-Mobility solutions and infrastructure, Sola gives automotive buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands
budget
WestlandsUSD 90–140 / night
3-star, roughly 0.3 mi from Sarit Expo Centre. Google Hotels flagged a deal around 20% below its usual rate for the show dates; breakfast charged separately, with free Wi-Fi, parking and a fitness centre. Best walk-to-venue option for a lean budget.
Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands
midscale
WestlandsUSD 110–160 / night
Listed as 3-star in the Google class shown with a 4.7 guest rating; a short ride-hail hop from Sarit Expo Centre in the same Westlands district. Rates are dynamic for the March 2027 show window, so re-check before booking.
Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers Mall by IHG
midscale
Two Rivers / Limuru RoadUSD 110–170 / night
4-star with a 4.7 guest rating; free cancellation and a pool noted in the Google Hotels listing. Sits in the Two Rivers development on Limuru Road, so plan a ride-hail or hotel car to Westlands rather than walking.
Fairview Hotel Nairobi, Vignette Collection by IHG
upscale
Upper Hill / Nairobi city centreUSD 240–320 / night
4-star with a 4.6 guest rating; free cancellation and pool shown in Google Hotels results. A garden-style property in Upper Hill, convenient if you are also meeting financiers, developers or ministry contacts in the city centre.
Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel
upscale
Nairobi city centreUSD 270–360 / night
Shown as 5-star Google class with a 4.7 guest rating, spa and pool. Central Nairobi location suits visitors combining the show with meetings at utilities, banks or development agencies; budget a ride-hail to Westlands each show morning.
Hyatt Place Nairobi Westlands
upscale
WestlandsUSD 290–400 / night
5-star Google class and the highest guest rating (4.8) among the captured Westlands options. Closest upscale pick to Sarit Expo Centre for teams that want to walk or take a very short ride to the hall.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Matatu (shared minibus)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forWestlands stages to the Sarit Centre area, including SACCO-run route 16 and connecting lines
Matatus are the backbone of Nairobi public transport and the cheapest way into Westlands, but they run fixed stages and fill up quickly at peak times. Route and stage information is published on Moovit and the KenyaHub matatu route finder. Not ideal with large luggage or sample cases.
Ride-hail (Uber / Bolt)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forWestlands hotel cluster to Sarit Expo Centre
The practical default for badge-holding visitors staying in Westlands. Request from the hotel lobby or a marked pickup point, and match the car plate before getting in.
Airport taxi (licensed) - JKIA
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forJomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Sarit Expo Centre
Book at the official taxi desk or through your hotel rather than accepting offers inside the arrivals hall. Traffic on the airport road can be heavy in the morning and evening peaks, so leave a wide margin for a same-day show arrival.
Ride-hail airport transfer
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forJKIA arrivals to Westlands / Sarit Expo Centre
Uber and Bolt both serve JKIA from the designated app pickup zone. Cheaper than a booked taxi outside peak surcharge but you need data and a payment method set up before landing.
Hotel shuttle / pre-booked transfer
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forJKIA to Nairobi city and Westlands hotels
Several Westlands and Two Rivers hotels arrange airport pickups for trade guests. Request the transfer when booking and reconfirm the driver details 24 hours before arrival. Also convenient for the hotel-to-venue leg on show mornings.
Private car with driver (day hire)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forHotel - Sarit Expo Centre - city meetings, full show day
Useful if you are combining Intersolar Kenya with site visits to solar installations, utilities or financiers. Agree the daily hours, waiting time and parking costs in writing before the first morning.
Boda boda (motorcycle taxi)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forShort hops within Westlands and Parklands
Fast for short solo trips when traffic is gridlocked, but not suitable in business dress, in rain, or with luggage and equipment. Use a rider with a spare helmet.
Private car parking at venue
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forSarit Expo Centre on-site and adjoining mall parking
On-site parking serves the expo halls and the Sarit Centre mall; arrive early on the first show morning as the closest bays fill. Keep valuables out of sight and note the ticket machine location on arrival.
Weather
Mid-March falls inside Nairobi's long-rains build-up: expect warm, often sunny mornings, then a real chance of heavy afternoon or evening showers, with daytime highs typically around 24-28 C and overnight lows around 13-16 C. Climatological bands only - confirm a live forecast close to departure. The air-quality forecast captured from Open-Meteo for the venue coordinates showed US AQI near 56, PM2.5 around 9.1 ug/m3 and PM10 around 14.2 ug/m3, i.e. moderate; sensitive visitors should check local advisories before travel. Forecast and air-quality figures are third-party API values, not on-site measurements.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Mobile data is the practical backbone of a Nairobi business trip: Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom all sell prepaid SIM and eSIM data bundles at JKIA and in Westlands, and Safaricom's network underpins most M-Pesa payments. For a short show trip, an eSIM bought before departure is the easiest route; a local prepaid SIM is cheaper for a longer stay but requires ID registration at the counter. Check your home operator's Kenya roaming rate first - pay-as-you-go data outside a bundle can be expensive. Kenya runs on a 240V, 50Hz supply with Type G three-pin sockets, so bring an adapter for laptops and chargers, and consider a power bank for long hall days. Venue Wi-Fi availability and any exhibitor-only network are not documented in the captured evidence, so plan on mobile data for stand demos and badge apps.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Languages and greetings
English and Swahili are both working languages in Nairobi, and show literature and stand staff usually operate in English. Opening with 'Habari' or 'Jambo' and a handshake goes a long way; ask before photographing people or stands.
Currency and mobile money
The Kenyan shilling (KES) is the local currency, but M-Pesa mobile money is accepted almost everywhere, including many matatus and small cafes. Cards work at hotels and larger restaurants; keep small shilling notes for tips, parking and market purchases.
Tipping and negotiation
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory: roughly 10% in sit-down restaurants and a small note for porters and drivers. Prices at markets and informal stalls are negotiable; published hotel and show rates are not.
Business dress and cards
Smart-casual business dress is the norm on Nairobi exhibition floors - collared shirts and trousers for men, business casual or smart dresses for women - with a light layer for cool, rainy evenings. Exchanging business cards, and following up on WhatsApp or email within a few days, is standard practice.
Timekeeping and meetings
Meetings often open with a few minutes of introductions and small talk before business; rushing straight to the agenda can read as abrupt. Traffic in Westlands and on the airport road is the usual reason for late starts, so build slack into back-to-back appointments.
Safety and daily practicalities
Nairobi is a busy capital with normal big-city precautions: use ride-hail or hotel cars after dark, avoid displaying phones or laptops on the street, and keep bags zipped in crowded transport hubs. Tap water is best avoided for drinking; bottled or filtered water is standard at hotels and venues.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Book the Nairobi leg once the show dates are confirmed. Captured Google Flights results for mid-March 2027 show Lufthansa nonstop from Frankfurt (about 8 hr 10 min), British Airways and the Kenya Airways / Virgin Atlantic pairing nonstop from London (about 8 hr 35 min to 8 hr 55 min), and one-stop routings via Doha, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Amsterdam or Brussels from further afield, including a Tokyo routing via Doha at about 20 hr 20 min. Fares were not shown in the captured excerpt, so compare live prices rather than relying on any figure quoted here. Book 8-12 weeks ahead for the best economy and premium-economy availability, check whether your fare includes a checked bag for brochures and demo kit, and leave a buffer day before your first meeting to absorb delays. Reconfirm schedules close to departure and complete your Kenyan eTA before check-in.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Nairobi; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Sarit Expo Centre: Westlands: Lowest captured nightly band for 16-17 March 2027; Westlands: Captured Google Hotels listing for 16-17 March 2027; Two Rivers / Limuru Road: Free-cancellation rate captured for the show dates.
Ride-hail: Uber and Bolt both operate in Nairobi, and ride-hail is the most straightforward way for trade visitors to reach Sarit Expo Centre from Westlands, Upper Hill or the city centre. Request from a hotel lobby or a marked pickup point rather than flagging a car on the street, match the number plate before getting in, and pay in-app so you do not need to negotiate. At JKIA, use the designated app pickup zone outside arrivals; surcharges at peak times and in heavy rain are normal, so allow extra time before an early show appointment. Set up the app and payment method before you land, since you will need data to book.
Public transit: Nairobi has no metro or commuter rail link to Sarit Expo Centre. The public network is matatu minibuses and NaMATA-coordinated bus routes, with Westlands served by stages along the main corridors; Moovit publishes route 16 timetables and stops, and the KenyaHub matatu route finder maps SACCO lines. Matatus are cheap and frequent but crowded at peak times and awkward with luggage, so most trade visitors use ride-hail or a hotel car for the venue leg and treat matatus as an option for short solo hops. For the airport leg, JKIA's own transport page lists the official onward options; taxis and app-based rides are the usual choice with bags and sample cases.
Parking: Sarit Expo Centre has on-site parking shared with the adjoining Sarit Centre mall, so exhibitors and badge-holding visitors arriving by car can usually park at the venue. Rates are not published in the captured evidence - budget an approximate KES-based hourly or day charge and confirm the current tariff, hall access and exhibitor-only bays with the venue on arrival. Arrive early on the first show morning because the closest bays fill quickly, keep valuables out of sight in the car, and note where you parked relative to the hall entrance before heading in.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March 2027 - the show window falls around mid-March, at the start of Nairobi's long-rains season
Temperature: Typical mid-March range in Nairobi: daytime highs around 24-28 C and overnight lows around 13-16 C, with the city's altitude keeping evenings noticeably cooler than the daytime halls. These are climatological bands, not a forecast - check a live forecast in the week before departure and pack a layer for cool mornings and wet evenings.
Seasonality: The March-May long rains build through mid-March in Nairobi, typically arriving as short, heavy afternoon and evening downpours rather than all-day drizzle. Expect at least a few wet show days, brief disruption to road transfers when drains overflow, and bright sunny mornings in between. Keep a compact umbrella in your show bag and allow extra transfer time after a downpour.
Packing: Pack light, breathable business-casual clothing for warm show days (24-28 C), a light jacket or jumper for cool evenings and air-conditioned meeting rooms, and a compact umbrella or packable rain shell for the long-rains downpours. Water-resistant closed shoes are more practical than open sandals for wet pavements and the venue car park. Bring a Type G power adapter for Kenya's 240V supply, a power bank for long days on the floor, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellent for evenings, and a folder or dry bag to keep business cards, datasheets and your phone dry on a wet transfer.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Intersolar Africa usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Day 1
Compare flights into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO): Lufthansa nonstop from Frankfurt, British Airways or Kenya Airways from London, and one-stop routings via Doha, Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Amsterdam or Abu Dhabi. — Fares and schedules change daily; re-check before paying and confirm baggage allowances for sample kits and brochures.
Day 2
Shortlist hotels within reach of Sarit Expo Centre: ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands (closest, budget), Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands or Holiday Inn Two Rivers (midscale), Hyatt Place or Fairview Upper Hill (upscale). — Book a free-cancellation rate; March is also long-rains season, so a hotel with covered parking or a reliable transfer is useful.
Day 3
Arrange the airport-to-hotel leg: pre-book a licensed airport taxi or use Uber or Bolt from the JKIA arrivals pick-up zone rather than accepting unsolicited offers in the terminal. — Agree the fare or confirm the app price before departure; carry some Kenyan shillings for the first day.
Day 4
Set up payments: load a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees and register for M-Pesa or a travel wallet if your bank supports it, since mobile money is used widely in Nairobi. — Small notes help for matatus, tips and market purchases.
Day 5
Register for the show or confirm your trade badge with the organiser, and note whether your pass covers one day or all show days.; Build a meeting plan for the solar, storage and clean-energy suppliers you want to see, and book slots with exhibitors before the floor gets busy. — Prioritise the product families you actually source: PV modules and inverters, mounting structures, batteries and BOS, solar water heating, mini-grids and financing.
Day 6
Map the venue approach: Sarit Expo Centre sits in Westlands and is reached by matatu, ride-hail or hotel shuttle; there is no metro or commuter rail link, so plan road transfers.; Arrange a local SIM or eSIM from Safaricom, Airtel or Telkom on arrival for data, M-Pesa and ride-hail, and check your home operator's roaming rates first. — Bring a Type G adapter; Kenya uses 240V, 50Hz supply.
Day 7
Pack for Nairobi in March: light breathable layers for warm show days, a rain shell or compact umbrella for the long-rains downpours, and closed water-resistant shoes. — Evenings can be cool at altitude; add a light jacket.
Day 8
Prepare your materials: digital business card, company profile with product categories and certifications, and a short list of what you are buying or specifying this year. — Local utilities, EPCs and distributors often want technical datasheets rather than brochures.
Day 9
Reconfirm hotel, transfer and flight times, and check the live Nairobi forecast and any travel advisories 48 hours before departure. — Leave a buffer for Nairobi traffic on the way to the venue on show mornings.
Day 10
Block the show dates in your calendar and confirm which days you need on the Intersolar Kenya floor at Sarit Expo Centre, Westlands, so travel can be costed around the actual event window (mid-March 2027).; On arrival day: collect your badge early, walk the hall layout once, then work your priority meetings and leave follow-up notes the same evening. — Keep a digital record of stand numbers and contact names for post-show follow-up.
Day 11
Apply for Kenya's electronic travel authorisation (eTA) through the official government portal for your passport, and print or save the approval to your phone. — Apply early; approvals are usually issued within a few working days but processing time is not guaranteed.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Sarit Expo Centre
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Intersolar Africa registration concourse
Sarit Expo Centre
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Sarit Expo Centre
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$190.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Intersolar Africa fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Intersolar Africa, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Photovoltaic modules and systems and Energy storage technologies and systems solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Intersolar Africa in Nairobi.
Min. budget
$950.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Photovoltaic modules and systems and Energy storage technologies and systems products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$4,275.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Nairobi show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Where is Sarit Expo Centre and how do I get there from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport?
Sarit Expo Centre sits in Nairobi's Westlands/Parklands venue district. JKIA (NBO) is the main international gateway; the airport's transport page lists official onward options, and a taxi or ride-hail is the usual choice for trade visitors with luggage. Westlands hotels are within a short walk or taxi ride of the venue.
Which hotels are closest to Sarit Expo Centre?
Captured Google Hotels results put ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands about 0.3 mi from Sarit Expo Centre, with other Westlands options including Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, Hyatt Place Nairobi Westlands and Best Western Premier Westlands a short ride away.
Do I need a visa to attend from abroad?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and are not covered by the captured evidence. Check the official Kenyan immigration or eTA portal for your passport before booking flights, and allow processing time.
What is the weather like in Nairobi in mid-March?
Mid-March marks the start of the long rainy season: warm days with a good chance of afternoon and evening showers. Pack a compact umbrella and water-resistant shoes, and check a live forecast shortly before departure.
How do I get around Nairobi without a car?
Matatus, buses and ride-hail cover the city; there is no metro line to the venue. Moovit publishes Nairobi route and stop data, and NaMATA is the city transport authority. Agree taxi fares before departing, especially from the airport.
Glossary
- Matatu
- Nairobi's shared minibus taxis, run by SACCOs on numbered routes; the main low-cost way to move around the city.
- SACCO
- Savings and credit cooperative society; in transport it refers to the operator groups that run matatu routes and set stage fares.
- NaMATA
- Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, the city body responsible for planning and regulating public transport.
- JKIA / NBO
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi's principal international gateway and the arrival point for most overseas trade visitors.
- Long rains
- Nairobi's main rainy season, roughly March to May, bringing short but heavy afternoon and evening downpours.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Intersolar Africa 2027
- renewable energy Kenya
- energy storage Africa
- E-Mobility conference
- Intersolar Africa Nairobi 2027
- Nairobi KE
- Solar Energy
- Trade show Exhibition & Conference Nairobi
- Photovoltaic modules and systems
Trust footer
Sources
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References
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Publishers
0
Date checked
1
Intersolar Africa
- event_website
- event_page
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.