Nexans Kabelmetal Launches Ghana’s First Low-Smoke Anti-Counterfeit Cables

By Maame Efua Kwaduah

Nexans Kabelmetal Ghana Ltd., West Africa’s pioneering cable manufacturer, has unveiled its revolutionary Low-Smoke Anti-Counterfeit cables, designed to prevent electrical fires and limit their devastating impact.

The locally first-of-its-kind innovation aims to significantly lower fatalities caused by smoke inhalation and tackle the rising circulation of substandard electrical products in Ghana.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, CEO of Nexans Kabelmetal Ghana Ltd., Alexander Quarcopoome, highlighted the company’s commitment to corporate responsibility and adherence to global safety standards.

“As industry leaders, it is our duty to protect lives, property, and investments. Safety is non-negotiable, and our low-smoke cables are engineered to improve visibility and enable safe evacuation, saving lives in critical moments,” he said.

Mr. Quarcopoome also noted that the cables feature embedded authentication technology, enabling consumers to verify authenticity through the Nexans App, effectively combating counterfeit cables across the sub-region.

Electrical fires continue to pose a serious threat to homes, markets and industries, with studies indicating that 60 to 80% of fire-related deaths result from toxic smoke and chemical inhalation rather than flames.

Nexans’ technology tackles this by providing three times greater visibility than conventional PVC cables during fires, giving occupants and emergency responders a crucial “golden window” to evacuate safely.

Acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Adwoa Serwa Bondzie, described the launch as a milestone for Ghana’s energy sector transformation. She stressed that national development relies not only on policies but also on enforcing quality standards in products and services.

“High-quality cables reduce fire spread and protect electrical installations. Standards ensure that systems operate as designed,” she said, noting the Commission’s partnership with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to enforce product compliance.

The new cables, conforming to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards are essential for Ghana’s 19,000 licensed electrical wiring professionals.

Representing the Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Divisional Officer Grade I Michael Korsah, highlighted how fire outbreaks over the past two years have caused significant loss of life and property.

“Although fire incidents decreased by 10 percent between 2024 and 2025, domestic and industrial fires still claim many lives. High safety standards start with quality construction products. This innovation protects future generations,” he said.

Korsah explained that dense smoke often obstructs firefighters, making low-smoke technology a critical tool for emergency response.

The cables comply with IEC/EN 60332-1-2 (flame retardant) and IEC/EN 61034-2 (low-smoke emission) standards.

A controlled demonstration at the event showcased the superior performance of Nexans low-smoke cables compared to conventional PVC cables.

 The results showed slower burning and minimal smoke emission, underscoring the cables’ safety advantage.

The products are targeted for critical environments including hospitals, schools, industrial and mining sites, public facilities and transport hubs.

Operating from Tema and serving the wider West African region, including Burkina Faso, Togo, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the launch reinforces Nexans Kabelmetal’s 50-year legacy of quality and innovation.