Nexans Kabelmetal launches 1st low-smoke anti-counterfeit cables to combat electrical fires

By Ernest Bako WUBONTO

Nexans Kabelmetal Ghana Ltd., the pioneer of cable manufacturing in West Africa, has officially launched its groundbreaking range of Low-Smoke Anti-Counterfeit cables to mitigate electrical fire outbreaks and their impact.

This first-of-its-kind innovation on the local market aims to drastically reduce fatalities linked to smoke inhalation and curb the proliferation of substandard electrical products in the country.

Electrical fires remain a critical threat to households, markets and industries in the country, with research indicating that 60 percent to 80 percent of fire-related fatalities are caused not by flames but the inhalation of toxic smoke and chemicals.

Nexans’ new technology addresses this by allowing three times more visibility than standard PVC cables during a fire, granting occupants and fire officers what it describes as a ‘golden time’ for safe evacuation.

CEO-Nexans Kabelmetal Ghana Ltd. Alexander Quarcopoome, speaking at the launch held in Accra, emphasised that the initiative is rooted in corporate responsibility to give the people of Ghana best quality global standards.

“As market leaders, we have a responsibility to protect lives, infrastructure and investments. Safety is not an option and our low-smoke cables are specifically engineered to maintain visibility and facilitate evacuation for both occupants and emergency responders. This makes the difference between life and death,” he said.

He elaborated that the cables also feature embedded authentication technology, allowing consumers to verify the product’s authenticity via the Nexans App – a direct strike against the growing challenge of counterfeit cables in the sub-region.

Ag. Executive Secretary-Energy Commission Adwoa Serwa Bondzie hailed the launch as a landmark moment for Ghana’s national energy sector transformation agenda.

She emphasised that resetting a nation is not only about policies but also standards, hence the need to ensure best standards in every product and service offered to the public. She added that using quality cables slows fire-spread and even minimises risk to electrical installations

“When standards work, systems work as designed – and so we have deepened collaboration with Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to set standards and ensure them. With the launch of these products today, we are sure this will ensure enforcement of these standards in the electrical cable installation space,” she remarked.

She noted that the Commission has been challenged by substandard accessories regulation and these new cables, which conform to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, are vital for the 19,000 licenced electrical wiring professionals nationwide under the Energy Commission.

Divisional Officer Grade I (DO1) Michael Korsah, representing the Chief Fire Officer of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, highlighted how fire outbreaks across the country over the past two years have caused havoc to lives and properties.

He indicated that while fire incidents saw a 10 percent reduction between 2024 and 2025, domestic and industrial fires still accounted for a significant portion of casualties.

“In the blink of an eye, fire can ignite and lives can be lost; therefore, it is important to always ensure high safety measures – and that starts with the quality of products used in the construction process. This innovation is a development that protects future generations,” he said.

He highlighted that dense smoke often hinders firefighters from dousing flames, making low-smoke technology a critical tool for the service.

The cables are said to comply with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard- IEC/EN 60332-1-2, flame retardant and IEC/EN 61034-2, low-smoke emission.

Live Demonstration

A live demonstration of the new Nexan low-smoke cable’s performance against other PVC cables on the market in a controlled environment at the event proved the cable’s efficacy, showing that Nexan’s Kabelmetal cables burn significantly slower and release minimal smoke compared to conventional PVC cables.

The product is designed for high-priority environments including hospitals and schools, mining and industrial sites, public facilities and transportation hubs.

Operating from Tema and serving the regional hub including Burkina Faso, Togo, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the launch reinforces Nexans Kabelmetal’s 50-year legacy of quality.

The post Nexans Kabelmetal launches 1st low-smoke anti-counterfeit cables to combat electrical fires appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story