Kansai Plascon targets East Africa growth on rising paint demand

Nairobi, Kenya – Paint manufacturer Kansai Plascon is seeking to expand its footprint in East Africa as rising construction activity and shifting consumer preferences drive demand for decorative and industrial coatings. The company is capitalizing on opportunities in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where building projects in residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors are fueling a need for diverse paint options.

Enami Kota, Kansai Plascon Kenya's Managing Director, explained that the firm is concentrating on deepening its knowledge of each market, bolstering management skills, and refining operations to maintain growth throughout the region. The trend toward eco-friendly construction is also affecting product demand, with consumers choosing water-based paints that contain lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These paints emit fewer chemicals and allow contractors to apply coatings more quickly. However, the expanding market presents challenges for established manufacturers, including competition from counterfeit products, cheaper imports, and low-cost alternatives that put pressure on locally produced brands. Kota called for stricter enforcement against counterfeit paint manufacturers, stressing that substandard products can damage consumer trust and create an unfair advantage for unauthorized businesses.

He also urged the government to reevaluate tariffs and duties affecting manufacturers, arguing that high production costs could undermine the competitiveness of locally made goods compared to imported alternatives. As companies strive to balance rising demand with production costs and competition in an increasingly interconnected regional market, Kansai Plascon operates manufacturing plants in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, producing decorative paints as well as protective and marine coatings for residential, commercial, and institutional projects.

The firm has been honored as an East Africa Superbrand for the 2026-2028 period, based on consumer assessments of its market position. Project Director Jawad Jaffer noted that this recognition is earned through the voices and perceptions of consumers, rather than through commercial participation. Kansai Plascon, which has been operating in East Africa since 1965, is also investing in workforce development through its Painter Training Programme, having trained and certified over 6,000 painters in Kenya as of 2026.