NAIROBI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Sarah Njeri, an electrical engineering student, was among the many visitors drawn to the exhibition stand of Guangzhou Liby Enterprises Group Co. Ltd. as the 11th China Trade Week opened in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, on Wednesday.
In her early 20s, Njeri said the fragrance of Liby's flagship cleaning products, including dishwashing liquid, caught her attention and prompted her to learn how they compared with other brands available in Kenya.
"These cleaning products from Liby have really impressed me. At home, I have been using some well-known brands in Kenya. It is my first time coming across Liby products, and I hope they will open outlets in Kenya so we can buy their liquid detergents," Njeri said.
Li Logan, the sales manager for Guangzhou Liby, said the company, one of China's leading detergent manufacturers, plans to expand its presence in Kenya and across Africa.
"We are looking for agents and distributors in Kenya to promote our products, including washing powder, dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent," Li said.
He added that the company's laundry technologies, such as fragrance microcapsules, can keep clothes smelling fresh for up to three days, while its washing powder offers superior stain-removal performance.
The 11th China Trade Week, held alongside the sixth Africa Technology Show, the fourth Africa Build Show and the third Megawatt Africa, has attracted more than 200 exhibitors from 20 countries, including 88 from China. Exhibitors showcased products ranging from green energy and construction solutions to household consumer goods.
David Wang, chairman of MIE Group, the event organizer, said the three-day exhibition is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors and provide Chinese enterprises with opportunities to build long-term partnerships with Kenyan and other African businesses while promoting two-way trade.
"The exhibition strengthens bilateral commercial ties by serving as a bridge for Chinese enterprises seeking sustainable local partnerships across the African continent," Wang said.
Among the Kenyan exhibitors, Chargebyte attracted steady crowds with its portable mobile phone charging solution powered by Chinese technology.
Stephanie Wambui, the company's field operations and activation lead, said Chargebyte provides solar-powered charging devices to off-grid communities at an affordable cost, improving access to portable charging services.
"We produce and deploy hybrid charging and connectivity stations in high-traffic locations. We work with schools, markets, hospitals and events like the one we are in today," Wambui said.
Users scan a QR code at the charging station and pay a refundable security deposit of 100 Kenyan shillings (about 0.77 U.S. dollars) to borrow a power bank for up to one hour.
"It is a shared service. You use the power bank for as long as you need and then return it to the charging station," Wambui said.
"We are giving people the opportunity to charge their phones on the move, and they love it. Every event we participate in is also an opportunity to show our technology to more people," she added.
Delvis Simiyu, a sales executive with a Nairobi-based fintech company, said Chargebyte's rent-a-power-bank model has made it easier for people who work outdoors to keep their phones charged.
"It is possible to rent a power bank for one or two hours and return it later. It is an interesting technology, and it helps me a lot when I am working in the field," Simiyu said.
A single purchase
