Africa
South Africa Paint Manufacturers
Seeks Protection from Imports
South Africa
has been one
of the three
most promising
industrial paints
and coatings
markets in sub-Saharan Africa,
according
to growth
projections by
analysts, but the
industry’s lobby
in the country is
now warning any
future market
expansion
predictions could
be under threat
from unregulated
importations.
by Shem Oirere
Africa Correspondent
South Africa has been one of the three most promising industrial paints and coatings markets in sub-Saharan Africa, according
to growth projections by analysts, but the industry’s lobby in the country is now warning
any future market expansion predictions could
be under threat from unregulated importations.
The South Africa Paint Manufacturers
Association (SAPMA), whose 200 members
manufacture, supply or distribute an estimated
85 to 90 percent of South Africa’s paints and
coatings, predicts poor performance of the
country’s market unless President Jacob Zuma’s
government, through the country’s International
Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), urgently increases import tariffs on imported
paints from the current 10 to 25 percent.
In addition to Kenya and Nigeria, analyst Frost
& Sullivan recently indicated the South African
paint and coatings industry, which is dominated
by multi-nationals “is growing at a normal pace,
although the infrastructure and construction in-
dustries are experiencing robust growth.”
Although SAPMA said it is still engaging
with government through the Department of
Trade and regulatory authorities on import
tariffs and the protection of the South African
coatings industry against illegal importation
and dumping of paint and coatings products,
it is worried industry gains achieved could be
reversed if unregulated importation continues.
SAPMA executive director Deryck Spence
said in early September an estimated $86 mil-
lion worth of paint was imported into South
Africa in 2015 “which is about 10 percent of
the entire South African market.”
“Around 65 percent of the paint emanated
from Europe – which is free of import duties in
