By Timothy Albrite
The 2025 edition of the Autopromotec trade fair took place from May 21st to 24th in Bologna, Italy. In this edition, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Nairobi sponsored six delegates from Kenya to attend the event.
The delegates engaged in B2B meetings with potential suppliers and business partners, aiming to establish partnerships that will allow Kenyan businesses and consumers to benefit from Italian expertise, high-quality automotive parts, and related services.
Kenyan businesses interested in exploring opportunities with Italian partners are encouraged to contact the ITA Nairobi office at nairobi@ice.it.
Walking through the aisles of Autopromotec felt like stepping into what the future of the automotive industry in Kenya could, and should look like. Access to the latest technology, innovation of tools, equipment, parts and ICT solutions in automotive services that enhance precision in workmanship, save time & energy, and eliminating human error.
It was about discovering how much more efficient, connected, and convenient motoring life could be in Kenya and East Africa.
The Autopromotec Experience
My first stop was at the cleaning and service center section. Here, I met teams working in car cleaning, detergents, maintenance products, and washing technology. Unlike the local carwash stations in Kenya, these are automatic car wash systems that you drive through and the system washes, and even dries your car. The machine handles the job quickly, with consistent results.
How many times have you been in a queue at your local car wash, waiting, while you’re getting late for another engagement that you can’t attend to with a dirty car? These machines could be your lifesaver. You drive through, and the system handles everything. There are new materials too, cleaners that are less harmful to the environment, soaps that are gentle on paint, and tools that reduce water use.
Tools That Do the Heavy Lifting
As I moved deeper into the fair, I kept seeing tools that do what Kenyan mechanics often do manually by hand and strength. Greasing parts, lifting engines, removing and reinserting piston rings, spark plugs, etc, there are machines now for all of it.
In place of heavy manual labour, advanced machines now take on tasks that require physical strength, making the work quicker and more precise. It’s not just about saving time, but about improving the accuracy and quality of service.
I also got to see tools that streamline other aspects of the repair process, like tire changes, diagnostics, and even the kinds of intricate work involved in body repairs.
These new tools are designed not only to get the job done more quickly but also to minimize waste and energy use.
In Kenya, it’s common to see mechanics working with limited tools, improvising as they go. Here, the shift is clear: mechanics work alongside machines. Instead of spending hours on one repair, they’re able to focus on diagnosis and fine-tuning, while the machines handle the repetitive and heavy tasks.
SKT was another eye-opener. This company supplies oil seals for both passenger and commercial vehicles. They supply parts to BMW and Wabco, so the parts are not just aftermarket they’re built to meet the standards of global carmakers.
Kenya’s growing demand for reliable replacement parts could benefit from suppliers like SKT.
Ball Systems SPA showed me tools for dent repair, specifically, bendless dent repair. No filler, no repainting. The system lifts dents without damaging the original paint. For car owners and body shops in Kenya, this could be a game-changer.
Nitromac focuses on repairing bent rims, specifically those for motorcycles. It’s a useful solution for riders navigating Kenya’s rough roads, where rim damage is common for their safety and convenience back on the road.
Tyres with a memory: RFID
One of the most interesting interactions I had was with a company working on RFID systems for tyres. This entails giving each tyre a digital identity.
With embedded chips, a tyre’s life can be tracked from the factory to the road, and even when it’s retreaded or scrapped.
These tools make it easy for car manufacturers, retreaders, and repair shops to share data. It helps prevent reuse of damaged tyres, improves safety, and could also transform how claims and warranties are handled.
For a country like Kenya, where the second-hand tyre market is large but often unregulated, this kind of traceability could protect both consumers and businesses.
These technologies aren’t just for Europe, they’re solutions that could work in Kenya, with the right investment and support.
Italian Automotive products are proving that the tools and systems that make cars last longer, perform better, and stay safer are already here.
Now it’s about bridging that gap between what’s possible and what’s available in Kenya.
Is Kenya Ready for the future?
Whether it’s the innovation in car cleaning that promises a faster and more eco-friendly wash or the high-tech service tools that make repairs quicker and more precise, there’s no doubt that the industry is evolving.
And if Autopromotec 2025 is anything to go by, that future is closer than we think.
Kenyan businesses interested in exploring opportunities with Italian partners are encouraged to contact the ITA Nairobi office at nairobi@ice.it.