Africa
East Africa Integration a Boon for Paint Makers
East Africa’s
common market
protocol has
opened new
investment
opportunities
for coatings
and paints
manufacturers in
the region.
by Shem Oirere
Africa Correspondent
The coming into force of East Africa’s common market protocol in 2010 has for the last six years opened new investment opportunities for coatings and paints
manufacturers in the region.
Leading market players have within that
period achieved additional sales and earnings
from setting up shop in more than one mem-ber-country of the East African Community
(EAC), a regional trading bloc that brings
together Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda
and Burundi.
Despite the challenges that come with cross-
border business expansion, Crown Paints, Basco
Paints and Sadolin paints have extended their
business from Kenya to Tanzania, Rwanda and
Burundi as manufacturers in East Africa take
advantage of the elimination of internal tariffs
and establishment of a common external tariff
(CET) by EAC member-States.
Paint manufacturers are expanding their
operations riding on ongoing efforts by the
five countries in the region to achieve a Single
Customs Territory and efficient Common
Market, which are expected to open more opportunities for companies in East Africa.
The EAC member-States have been working at harmonizing their customs, customs administration, customs valuation systems and
customs procedures and documentation to enable manufacturing companies to compete effectively and be more innovative in their drive
to increase their share of the market.
Crown Paints, which has an estimated 65
percent share of the market, said in a previous
report “the East African community market
is opening up rapidly and with an estimated
