Construction boom drives demand for paint across East Africa

Kansai Plascon Kenya Managing Director Enami Kota said the region's construction boom was supporting market growth, with the company targeting stronger performance through improved market understanding, management capacity and execution.

He said demand was also being shaped by changing consumer preferences, particularly the growing shift towards water-based paints with lower volatile organic compound (VOC) content.

The products are increasingly preferred for their environmental benefits and ease of use, while their faster application and drying times help painters complete projects more quickly.

Kota said the company was seeking to strengthen its competitiveness in the region but faced challenges from counterfeit products, imports and cheaper alternatives.

He called on authorities to intensify the crackdown on counterfeit paints, warning that fake products damage legitimate manufacturers and undermine the wider industry.

Kota also urged the government to review tariffs and duties that increase production costs, arguing that supportive policies would help locally manufactured products compete more effectively.

Kansai Plascon operates manufacturing facilities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, supplying decorative paints as well as protective and marine coatings for residential, commercial and institutional applications.

The company was recently named an East Africa Superbrand for the 2026–2028 period following a consumer survey conducted under the Superbrands East Africa programme.

Project Director Jawad Jaffer said the recognition was based on consumer perceptions of quality, reliability and brand distinction.

“What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it’s not an award handed out by a panel of judges or based on commercial participation. It is recognition earned through the voices and perceptions of consumers themselves,” said Jaffer.

Kansai Plascon, which has operated in East Africa since 1965, is also investing in skills development through its Painter Training Programme, which it says trained and certified more than 6,000 painters across Kenya in 2026.