What CBi-electric: african cables does

CBi-electric: african cables is a South African power cable manufacturer and turnkey cable installation service provider, founded on December 20, 1935 in Vereeniging and operating as a subsidiary of Reunert Limited (JSE-listed industrial conglomerate). The company designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of electric power cables spanning low voltage (below 1kV), medium voltage (6.6-33kV) and high voltage (above 33kV) systems, including PVC, XLPE, paper-insulated lead covered (PILC), Zerotox halogen-free, overhead line and renewable-energy-compliant variants for copper and aluminium conductors. It claims to be the only company in South Africa with full vertical integration from copper melting through to finished cable manufacturing, supported by HV production lines commissioned in 2014 and ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications.

The business model is enterprise field sales with quote-based B2B pricing and direct engagement with large utilities (notably Eskom), municipalities, mining operators and renewable energy developers. Beyond manufacturing, the Power Installations division (established 1986) provides medium (11-33kV) and high (44-132kV) voltage cable installation, planned preventative maintenance, breakdown maintenance, refurbishment and assessment services, holding the only 9EP CIDB rating for cable installation in Southern Africa. Revenue streams are split between hardware sales of cables and professional services for installation/maintenance. The company employs 800+ people at Vereeniging, holds Level 1 B-BBEE status with 135% procurement recognition, and operates group-affiliated manufacturing entities in Zimbabwe (CAFCA) and Zambia (Zamefa) under the Reunert umbrella. In 2025 the company was rebranded from African Cables to CBi electric: african cables as part of Reunert's broader CBi-electric Group consolidation.

Name

CBi-electric: african cables

Legal name

CBI African Cables

Website

https://africancables.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CBi-electric: african cables is a South African manufacturer of electric power cables (LV, MV, HV) and a turnkey installation service provider, serving utilities, municipalities, mining operators and renewable energy developers across Sub-Saharan Africa since 1935.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Power Cables

NAICS

Communication and Energy Wire and Cable Manufacturing (33592), Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing (335929)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Power Cable (MV/HV) (IMADAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Power Cables & Conductors (LV/MV cables, flexible cables, bus wire, armored cable) (IMAGAEAC), Underground transmission & distribution cable EPC (civil + cable install) (EUADAKAB), Utility & Underground Distribution Cable (URD/Substation) (IMADAMAG)

Keywords

• Power cable manufacturing
• High voltage cable systems
• Medium voltage cable
• Cable installation services
• Industrial electrical cables

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Power Cable Manufacturing and Sales: Manufacturing and selling a comprehensive range of electric power cables including PVC, XLPE, paper-insulated, ABC, and ACSR cables for low, medium, and high voltage applications
2. Cable Installation Services: Turnkey cable installation solutions through Power Installations division, including medium (11-33kV) and high (44-132kV) voltage power cable installation, maintenance, and refurbishment services

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

CBi-electric: african cables designs, manufactures, and supplies a comprehensive range of electric power cables — spanning Low Voltage (below 1kV), Medium Voltage (6.6kV–33kV), and High Voltage (above 33kV) systems — including PVC, XLPE, PILC, Zerotox (halogen-free fire-retardant), overhead line, and renewable energy cables for copper and aluminium conductors. Through its Power Installations division, the company also provides turnkey medium- and high-voltage cable installation, maintenance, refurbishment, and assessment services, offering complete solutions from cable production through to installation and lifecycle support.

Product overview

CBi-electric: african cables is a cable manufacturing company that designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of electric power cables from its Vereeniging facility. The product portfolio spans Low Voltage (below 1kV), Medium Voltage (6.6kV-33kV), and High Voltage (above 33kV) power cables including PVC, XLPE, PILC (Paper Insulated Lead Covered), and Zerotox (halogen-free fire retardant) variants for copper and aluminium conductors. The company also produces overhead line cables and renewable energy cables. Beyond manufacturing, the company operates through its Power Installations Division which provides turnkey cable installation, maintenance, and refurbishment services for medium and high voltage systems, making it a complete solution provider from cable production through to installation and ongoing maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Low Voltage Power Cables Power cables rated below 1kV including PVC, XLPE, and Zerotox variants for copper and aluminium conductors in armoured and unarmoured configurations. Used for power distribution in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
• Medium Voltage Power Cables Power cables rated 6.6kV to 33kV including XLPE insulated and PILC (Paper Insulated Lead Covered) cables for industrial and utility applications. Used by utilities, mines, and industrial plants for primary distribution.
• High Voltage Power Cables Power cables rated above 33kV including XLPE insulated cables for major infrastructure projects, manufactured at the Vereeniging facility since 1979. Used in utility transmission, grid connections, and large industrial projects.
• Zerotox Cables Halogen-free, low smoke fire retardant cable compounds conforming to SABS 1411 Part 5, designed for power cables requiring enhanced fire safety. Used in enclosed or high-occupancy environments such as mines, tunnels, and buildings.
• Overhead Line Cables Stranded copper or aluminium and solid sector aluminium conductors, PVC/XLPE insulated, PVC bedded and served and galvanised steel wire armoured and unarmoured cables for overhead power transmission.
• Renewable Energy Cables Specialized cables designed for renewable energy applications including windfarms and solar installations, compliant with Renewable Grid Code requirements. Sold to renewable energy developers and IPPs.
• Power Installations — Cable Installation, Maintenance, Refurbishment & Assessment Services Specialist division providing medium (11–33kV) and high (44–132kV) voltage power cable installation, maintenance, refurbishment, and condition assessment services backed by ISO 9001 certification and a 9EP CIDB rating. Includes cable accessory supply, planned preventative maintenance, breakdown maintenance, refurbishment, and rigorous cable assessment services for high voltage fluid-filled or XLPE circuits. Sold to utilities, municipalities, and large industrial customers nationwide through strategic presence in Vereeniging, Cape Town, and Durban.

Quantifiable outcome

• First HV XLPE cable installed in South Africa has operated without failure for over 20 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CAFCA (Cables and Fidelity Company Africa)coreOthersOnly cable manufacturing company in Zimbabwe, established 1947, listed on Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, JSE and London Stock Exchanges. Part of CBi Electric African Cables group.
• Zamefa (CBi-electrical Zamefa)coreOthersCable manufacturing operations in Zambia under the CBi-electric Group of Reunert Limited.
• Tank IndustriescoreOthersOperates under CBi electric: african cables; offers customized locally assembled solutions from ISO 9001 accredited facility; runs certified training centre for cable jointing and termination in low, medium and high-voltage applications.
• CBi-electric GroupcoreOthersCBi electric brand combines three Reunert companies - CBi, African Cables and low voltage switchgear - under one unified brand for infrastructure development across Africa.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB (Electrification segment): Broad incumbent in electrification, with adjacent offerings in switchgear, transformers, and cable accessories; competes with CBi at the system level where utilities bundle cable, protection and substation equipment.
• Prysmian Group: World's largest cable manufacturer with significant operations across Africa and a full LV/MV/HV power cable portfolio; directly competes with CBi on utility tenders and represents the global benchmark CBi is benchmarked against.
• LS Cable & System: Major Asian cable manufacturer with global reach across power and communication cables; competes with CBi on infrastructure and renewable-energy cable tenders across Africa.
• Nexans: Global cable and connectivity manufacturer offering LV/MV/HV power cables and installation services; comparable across product range, end-markets (utilities, renewables, mining) and turnkey EPC capabilities.
• Schneider Electric: Global energy management and automation incumbent supplying utilities, mining and renewables; overlaps with CBi in industrial and utility customers and integrated project delivery.
• Sumitomo Electric Industries: Global Japanese cable manufacturer with HV and XLPE cable technology; competes in utility-scale HV projects and serves mining and renewable energy customers similar to CBi's segments.
• Furukawa Electric: Japanese cable and electronics group with significant power and telecom cable business; competes globally in HV cable systems and is comparable to CBi on manufacturing depth and end-market exposure.

Emerging players

• Helukabel: European cable manufacturer and distributor with growing presence in Africa; competes with CBi particularly in LV power and special-application cables for mining and industrial customers.

Direct peers

• Elsewedy Electric: Egyptian-based cable and electrical equipment manufacturer with strong African footprint in power cables, transformers and turnkey solutions; highly comparable regional peer targeting the same Sub-Saharan utility and infrastructure projects.

Regional players

• Power Technologies (Pty) Ltd: South African electrical equipment group supplying cables, transformers and related products into utilities, mining and industry; directly comparable regional peer operating in the same geography and customer base as CBi.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbi-electric-african-cables

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CBi-electric: african cables