Advancing Sustainable Packaging and Regional Competitiveness in East Africa
Propak East Africa 2026, held from March 3 – 5, 2026, at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, marked a milestone as the event celebrated its 10th anniversary. Organized by Montgomery East Africa, this premier B2B exhibition and conference remains East Africa’s leading platform for the packaging, printing, plastics, and food & beverage processing industries. It brought together industry professionals, exhibitors, innovators, regulators, and stakeholders to explore cutting-edge solutions, foster partnerships, and address key challenges in the sector.
As a key exhibitor and supporting association, the Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya (IOPPK) – a member of the African Packaging Organisation (APO) and World Packaging Organization (WPO) – played an active role in the event. IOPPK is dedicated to enhancing packaging skills, technology, science, and engineering across Eastern Africa, promoting professional development, sustainable practices, and trade competitiveness. Our participation underscored our commitment to building a circular, responsible, and globally competitive packaging ecosystem.
The expo featured dynamic exhibitions, masterclasses, networking sessions, and high-level discussions, with a strong focus on sustainable packaging, innovation, regulatory compliance, and regional integration under frameworks like the EAC and AfCFTA.
Key Themes from Featured Speeches
The event’s program included insightful addresses that highlighted packaging’s strategic role in trade, sustainability, and SME growth.
Speech by Joseph Nyongesa, CEO, Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya (IOPPK)
In his address, CEO Joseph Nyongesa welcomed distinguished guests, including PS Regina Akoth Ombam (Trade Department, MITI), and emphasized packaging’s foundational importance to Kenya’s trade ambitions.
He described packaging technology as the “silent strategic infrastructure of trade”, not merely a technical afterthought. It protects product value, enhances competitiveness, and enables local enterprises – from village workshops to SMEs – to access regional and global markets. By integrating world-class packaging systems into national policies, Kenya can ensure compliance, consumer confidence, producer dignity, and export success.
Nyongesa highlighted the EAC Annual Packaging Summit (hosted at Propak) as a vital regional anchor for dialogue on standards, sustainability, and trade competitiveness. IOPPK has supported Propak for a decade, contributing to standards alignment and sector growth.
He commended the leadership of IOPPK Directors, Angela Kinyua (MD, Propak East Africa), and partners like Montgomery (with 131 years of expertise), for driving progress toward a circular and environmentally responsible sector.
A core ask: Include a dedicated chapter on packaging as a Strategic Pillar in Kenya’s Trade Policy. The vision – recognize packaging as a strategic enabler supporting product quality, safety, sustainability, market access, innovation, standards, and circularity in trade, industrialization, and export agendas.
Speech by Rita Mchaki, Associate Programme Adviser, Value Chain Packaging, International Trade Centre (ITC)
Rita Mchaki’s presentation, “The Future of Packaging in East Africa: Leveraging the East African Packaging Directory for Regional Competitiveness”, positioned packaging as a key competitiveness driver – essential for food safety, compliance, branding, exports, value addition in agro-processing/manufacturing, and SME productivity.
She outlined market forces: booming FMCG, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals; rising cross-border trade (EAC/AfCFTA); stricter sustainability regulations (EU/domestic); and consumer demand for eco-friendly options.
Structural gaps include fragmented linkages, limited visibility of certified suppliers, uneven standards, slow sustainable material adoption, and sourcing information asymmetry.
ITC’s approach under MARKUP II (EU-funded, Global Gateway): Improve SME access to quality packaging, support certification/standards alignment, promote sustainable solutions, facilitate B2B linkages, and enable transparency via digital tools.
Central to this is the East African Packaging Directory – a first-of-its-kind digital B2B platform listing verified, SME-friendly suppliers across East Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda). It promotes cross-border sourcing, reduces risks, boosts export readiness, and aligns with sustainability needs.
Benefits:
FOR SMEs: Trusted suppliers, lower risks, better compliance, stronger brands.
FOR SUPPLIERS: Regional visibility, SME market access, incentives for certification/sustainable innovation.
On sustainability, she stressed transitioning to biodegradable/recycled materials, EPR frameworks, alignment with SDG 12 and EU Green Deal, and opportunities in paper, glass, and compostables.
THE ROAD AHEAD: Harmonize regional standards, expand certification, invest in sustainable packaging, deepen trade integration, and build data-driven ecosystems.
CALL TO ACTION:
SUPPLIERS: Register, certify, update profiles, pursue cross-border partnerships.
SMEs: Use the platform for smarter sourcing.
STAKEHOLDERS: Collaborate to strengthen the ecosystem.
Implications for the Packaging Industry in Kenya and East Africa
Propak East Africa 2026 reinforced packaging’s evolution from cost centre to strategic asset for sustainable packaging solutions, circular economy practices, and export growth. With rising global demands for eco-friendly materials and compliance, events like this – combined with tools like the East African Packaging Directory – empower SMEs to overcome barriers, adopt innovations, and compete regionally and internationally.
IOPPK remains committed to advancing these goals through education, advocacy, and partnerships. We urge policymakers to embed packaging as a core pillar in trade strategies and invite industry players to engage with the Directory and future initiatives.
For more on sustainable packaging trends, professional development, or how IOPPK can support your packaging needs, connect with us. Together, we can build a more competitive, responsible, and innovative East African packaging sector.
Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya (IOPPK) – Empowering Packaging Excellence in Eastern Africa.