Kenya's Wara Fragrance named East Africa Brand of the Year at Malaysia summit

Kenyan fragrance company Wara Fragrance has been named East Africa Brand of the Year 2026 at the 43rd edition of the Cluster of Achievers X World School Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The award recognises the company's performance at an international gathering that brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs and award recipients from 32 countries.

Wara Fragrance Chief Executive Officer Abdirahman Hussein Mohamud said the recognition would strengthen the company's international profile and open opportunities for expansion beyond East Africa.

“The recognition in Malaysia gives us an opportunity to expand our visibility beyond the region, build new business relationships and strengthen our presence in the fragrance market,” said Hussein.

He said the company would focus on product quality, innovation and customer trust to sustain its growth and strengthen its market position.

“Our focus now is on sustaining this momentum through product quality, innovation and customer trust,” he said.

The award comes amid growing competition in the fragrance industry, where product differentiation, pricing and changing consumer preferences continue to shape market performance.

Hussein said the recognition would provide a platform for the company to engage new customers and explore international business opportunities.

The summit, which attracted participants from 32 countries, recognised achievements in entrepreneurship, business development, innovation and leadership. Indian actress Rakul Preet Singh attended the ceremony as the chief guest.