AHI Carrier, a joint venture of Carrier Global Corporation, has opened its first dealer-based Carrier and Toshiba HVAC showroom in Nairobi, partnering with North Star Cooling Systems, as it seeks to expand its presence in Kenya and the wider East African market.

The showroom was inaugurated on February 16, 2026, by Afaf Kontar, Chief Executive Officer of AHI Carrier, together with Kishore Reddy, Managing Director of North Star Cooling Systems, according to a statement issued by the companies.

The opening adds a physical customer-facing facility to support sales and technical engagement around heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at a time when Kenya’s construction pipeline continues to be driven by urbanisation, commercial developments and new requirements around energy performance in buildings.

AHI Carrier said the facility is designed as “a fully integrated HVAC experience and reference center,” targeting developers, consultants, engineers and contractors who want to evaluate system capabilities and suitability for local operating conditions.

In its statement, the company linked the launch to growing demand for “reliable, energy-efficient cooling solutions” across commercial, residential, healthcare and data-driven developments. While the company did not disclose the value of the investment, the move signals a push to deepen on-the-ground engagement in Kenya’s built environment and mechanical services supply chain.

Beyond showcasing equipment, the companies said the showroom will also be used for technical collaboration, certified training and project advisory services. AHI Carrier said the intention is to build local technical capacity and support professional development as part of efforts to “raise industry standards and strengthen the regional HVAC ecosystem.”

During the inauguration, Ms. Afaf Kontar said Kenya is central to the company’s East Africa strategy. “Kenya remains central to AHI Carrier’s East Africa strategy,” she said, adding that the showroom reflects “a clear commitment to long-term partnership and local market development.” She said the facility would enable customers to experience “real-time operational performance” and better understand the “measurable value of advanced HVAC technologies.”

Mr. Kishore Reddy said the showroom is intended to support North Star Cooling Systems’ growth ambitions in the region. He described the opening as “a milestone in North Star Cooling Systems’ regional growth journey,” and said the facility offers a collaborative environment for customers and consultants to engage directly with “high-efficiency solutions aligned with evolving market expectations.”

The launch comes as HVAC demand in Kenya is influenced by several parallel trends: expansion of modern office and retail space, growth in hospitals and specialised healthcare facilities, increasing installation of mission-critical cooling for data and digital infrastructure, and tighter scrutiny of operating costs in buildings due to electricity prices. In this context, dealer-based showrooms can help shorten decision cycles by allowing project teams to review specifications, compare options and coordinate after-sales support early in the procurement process.

For Kenya’s HVAC market, the move may intensify competition among major equipment brands and distributors, especially in commercial and institutional segments where technical compliance, installation quality and maintenance capability can be decisive. The emphasis on training and advisory services could also raise expectations around certification and service standards among contractors and technicians.

AHI Carrier and North Star Cooling Systems said the partnership aims to make HVAC technologies more accessible in Kenya and East Africa, while responding to infrastructure demand. The companies did not provide a timeline for additional openings, but described the Nairobi facility as part of a regional expansion strategy and a platform for continued local market development.