The renowned N!Academy made its mark in East Africa’s Nairobi, in partnership with PHINIA, hosting a transformative training program for local automotive technicians at the Emara Hotel – Ole Sereni on September 17, 2025. The full-day event brought together professionals from Kenya’s automotive service market. It offered an immersive experience designed to equip technicians with the latest knowledge, tools, and insights shaping the local automotive aftermarket.
Nonetheless, this initiative, a collaboration between PHINIA and NEXUS Automotive International (N!), underscores a shared commitment to developing Africa’s automotive service and maintenance sector. Besides, this market is expanding rapidly with a growing demand for advanced parts, skilled labor, and reliable services.
Also Read: NEXUS Automotive International Accelerates Growth in Africa
Innovation Grounded in African Realities
The training sessions were powered by Delphi, a PHINIA brand renowned for precision engineering and cutting-edge innovation. Delphi’s product portfolio spans a wide range of vehicle systems—from steering components such as control arms, stabilizer links, and tie rods to comprehensive braking solutions including discs, drums, pads, and shoes. The brand also offers a strong lineup of vehicle electronics, from ignition coils and sensors to EGR valves. With this breadth of expertise, Delphi continues to meet global standards while addressing regional needs.
Through interactive demonstrations and live diagnostic simulations, participants explored how PHINIA’s global technology can adapt seamlessly to Africa’s local realities.
Empowering Technicians: The Heart of the N!Academy
A major highlight of the day was the Delphi Masters of Motion initiative. This program celebrates technicians as the true drivers of automotive progress. Moreover, participants engaged in sessions on system diagnostics, parts calibration, and data-driven maintenance. This prepared Kenya’s technicians for the demands of today’s connected vehicles.
The session also highlighted Hartridge’s specialized test benches for industrial, marine, and agricultural engines. It gave emphasis to their unique role in niche sectors. Ethem Metin, Test Equipment Support Leader at Delphi, emphasized Delphi’s training philosophy. He noted that with proper skills, clean conditions, and the use of Delphi original software, technicians can repair injectors with near-factory precision. Most importantly, the session reminded them that injector reliability depends not only on equipment but also on meticulous cleanliness. Ensuring precision is key, from the fuel tank to the common rail system, to maintaining a lasting engine performance and customer confidence.
Precision in Practice
The training session offered a deep dive into the precision and care required in diesel injector repair. Metin emphasized that, true accuracy depends on replacing both the controller, “the heart of the injector,” and the nozzle. He further highlighted Delphi’s rigorous approach, combining advanced engineering with practical tools. “Rather than risk microscopic damage during disassembly, our tools prevent it.” Participants also learned about the importance of cleanliness, calibration, and diagnostics. Both ultrasonic cleaning systems and strict torque specifications support these processes. Every step reflected Delphi’s uncompromising standards.
Adding a touch of excitement and engagement, participants took part in a lively question-and-answer trivia session. This tested their attentiveness and takeaways from the day’s training. Winners were rewarded with prizes, while all attendees were awarded certificates of participation. These recognized their enthusiasm and commitment to continuous learning. The interactive activity not only reinforced key lessons but also built a sense of unity. It fostered a shared spirit of professional pride among the attendees.
Building a Culture of Continuous Learning
Attendees were also introduced to Delphi’s comprehensive learning ecosystem. It includes the Delphi Academy e-learning platform, free Masters of Motion tutorial videos, and global face-to-face technical training. With over 300 training modules, more than 20,000 annual learning hours, and advanced tools like the Blue Tech VCI and DS-Cloud connectivity, PHINIA continues to invest heavily in building technical capacity. They focus on long-term career growth in the automotive aftermarket field.
The program also emphasized PHINIA’s deep understanding of real-world challenges faced by African technicians. These include fuel quality inconsistencies and harsh operating environments. By balancing global innovation with local adaptability, PHINIA demonstrated how advanced technologies can deliver both performance and durability, even in the most demanding conditions.
Also Read: Revving Up Progress: Bridging the Skills Gap in the African Automotive Service Industry
Supporting Africa’s Automotive Future
Through its partnership with NEXUS Automotive International and regional distributors, PHINIA is driving a vision of strengthening Africa’s automotive value chain. In particular, this ranges from parts distribution and technical service to innovation and sustainability.
Growth Opportunities Ahead
PHINIA’s ongoing investment in education, technology, and local partnerships positions it among the key enablers of Africa’s automotive evolution. The company combines global innovation with local expertise to help Africa’s workshops and service centers evolve into world-class mobility hubs.
Moreover, Delphi’s aftermarket solutions demonstrate a clear vision. It aims to deliver world-class performance and reliability tailored to every road and driver. This ensures the people behind the tools remain as advanced as the technologies they service.
A Shared Commitment to the Road Ahead
As the day concluded, what began as a training session had transformed into something bigger. In the end, it became a shared commitment to shaping Africa’s automotive aftermarket future. The N!Academy Training Program, in partnership with PHINIA, reflected more than just a technical gathering. It became a symbol of empowerment, equipping local technicians with advanced skills, global knowledge and the confidence to drive Africa’s automotive excellence into the next decade.
As Africa’s automotive aftermarket accelerates toward a new era of growth, initiatives like the N!Academy Training Program stand out as powerful engines of progress. Indeed, by merging PHINIA’s global innovation to empower the local experts, a new generation of professional technicians is rising. They are skilled, confident and ready to meet the continent’s evolving local mobility demands. Sure enough, what began as a single training day now marks the start of a wider movement. It is empowering Africa’s local mechanics to become masters of motion shaping tomorrow’s roads with precision, innovation and purpose!
