Kenya Industry - MarcoPolis Your local business media with a global reach Mon, 16 Jun 2025 10:20:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 KEPRO CEO James Odongo on Technology, Compliance and the Future of Sustainable Packaging in Kenya /kepro-ceo-james-odongo-on-technology-compliance-and-the-future-of-sustainable-packaging-in-kenya.htm Sun, 15 Jun 2025 22:13:00 +0000 /?p=191155 In this part of the interview with James Odongo, CEO of KEPRO, he outlines how the organization is helping Kenya’s producers adapt to the country’s evolving circular economy goals and the newly implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. KEPRO, established in response to Kenya’s 2017 ban on single-use plastic bags, serves as a producer responsibility ...

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James Odongo of KEPRO: Pioneering Kenya’s Circular Economy Through EPR and Recycling Innovation /james-odongo-of-kepro-pioneering-kenyas-circular-economy-through-epr-and-recycling-innovation.htm Sat, 14 Jun 2025 21:21:57 +0000 /?p=191149 In this interview with James Odongo, CEO of KEPRO (Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organisation), he outlines how the organisation is spearheading Kenya’s transition to a circular economy through regulatory alignment, recycling innovation, and strategic public engagement.

Founded in response to the 2017 plastic bag ban in Kenya, KEPRO was established as a special purpose vehicle to help producers take full environmental responsibility for the post-consumption lifecycle of their products. With over 1,000 member companies and close collaboration with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, KEPRO plays a central role in the implementation of the Sustainable Waste Management Act and EPR regulations introduced in 2024.

Odongo explains that KEPRO’s primary mission is to future-proof business models by encouraging adoption of circular business practices and ensuring compliance with evolving environmental laws. The organization addresses major hurdles such as the cost of compliance, helping members manage financial contributions through a technology-enabled EPR platform that ensures real-time data access and transparency.

With a clear focus on digital transformation, KEPRO has moved beyond manual filing to an interactive compliance system that supports self-declaration, helping reduce administrative burden and increase data confidentiality, especially among competitor-member companies.

Looking ahead to 2025, KEPRO expects growth in collection subsidies, technology investment, and waste compliance support. These budgets are directly tied to partnerships with waste management operators and recyclers, as KEPRO strengthens recycling ecosystems and champions recyclable packaging design. Odongo highlighted the shift by brands like Sprite from green to clear plastic bottles as a positive example of end-of-life product management aligned with recycling goals.

To drive consumer behavior change, KEPRO deploys a mixed communication strategy using digital campaigns, grassroots engagement, social dialogues, and community influencers to reinforce its message: "My waste is my responsibility." This call to action urges all Kenyans to embrace waste segregation, proper bin use, and active citizenship in building a clean and healthy environment.

KEPRO’s three-year vision is to cement its leadership as Kenya’s premier producer responsibility organization, outpacing competition while scaling its partnerships and environmental impact. At the heart of its strategy lies a commitment to ESG, public-private collaboration, and ensuring that Kenyan businesses remain sustainable, competitive, and compliant in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

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Silafrica’s Akshay Shah on MSME Support, Circular Packaging, and Sustainable Growth in Africa’s Packaging Industry /silafricas-akshay-shah-on-msme-support-circular-packaging-and-sustainable-growth-in-africas-packaging-industry.htm Sat, 07 Jun 2025 06:25:31 +0000 /?p=191132 In this exclusive interview, Akshay Shah, Group Executive Director of Silafrica, explores how the company is leading the way in sustainable packaging in Kenya and across Africa. As a founding member of KEPRO (Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization), Silafrica champions circular economy packaging, using post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial recycled materials (PIR) in over 36% of its output. The company partners with multinationals like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Heineken, and Unilever to deliver rigid plastic packaging, recyclable beverage crates, and IoT-enabled production systems (ThinkTracks). Shah also highlights the critical role of MSMEs in Africa’s packaging supply chain, outlining strategies to aggregate demand and finance packaging solutions for small-scale producers. From custom yogurt cup printing to cross-border reusable crate systems, Silafrica is redefining what it means to build a scalable, circular, and inclusive packaging industry in Africa.

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Silafrica Leads Africa’s Circular Economy with 100% Recyclable Packaging � Akshay Shah Interview /silafrica-leads-africas-circular-economy-with-100-recyclable-packaging-akshay-shah-interview.htm Fri, 06 Jun 2025 21:36:34 +0000 /?p=191128 In this section of the interview, Akshay Shah, Group Executive Director of Silafrica, outlines the company’s leading role in shaping the future of sustainable packaging in Kenya and across Africa. As a founding member of the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO), Silafrica has been instrumental in developing Kenya’s EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) model—a collaborative, ...

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Packaging Industry: Gavin Dehning Discusses Silafrica’s Growth Initiatives Across East Africa /packaging-industry-unveiling-silafrica-s-strategic-growth-initiatives-across-east-africa.htm Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:17:35 +0000 /packaging-industry-unveiling-silafrica-s-strategic-growth-initiatives-across-east-africa.htm In this conversation with MarcoPolis, Gavin Dehning, the Group CEO of Silafrica, a prominent packaging manufacturing company, discusses recent milestones and highlights major contracts with industry leaders Heineken and Coca Cola, offering valuable insights into the company’s strategic investments and expansive growth strategies across East Africa.

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Silafrica: Gavin Dehning Highlights Cutting-Edge Developments in Kenyan Packaging and Agriculture /silafrica-gavin-dehning-highlights-cutting-edge-developments-in-kenyan-packaging-and-agriculture.htm Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:57:22 +0000 /silafrica-gavin-dehning-highlights-cutting-edge-developments-in-kenyan-packaging-and-agriculture.htm Gavin Dehning, Group CEO at Silafrica, the leading packaging manufacturer in East Africa, discusses the company’s latest developments in Kenya.

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Manufacturing Sector: Jayesh Shah Unveils Sumaria Group’s Evolution and Expansion Plans /from-legacy-to-innovation-jayesh-shah-unveils-sumaria-group-s-evolution-and-expansion-plans.htm Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:32:10 +0000 /from-legacy-to-innovation-jayesh-shah-unveils-sumaria-group-s-evolution-and-expansion-plans.htm Jayesh Shah delves into the strategic evolution and current landscape of the family business. Focused on consolidating their ventures, Sumaria Group has streamlined its portfolio to emphasize three core entities: Silafrica, a leading packaging company; Nyanza Bottling, a Coca-Cola plant with over 35 years of thriving success; and their ginning company. Discover the unique journey and future aspirations of Sumaria Group as they seek new horizons in the global market.

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Strategic Resilience: Group Managing Director Jayesh Shah Discusses Sumaria’s Future /strategic-resilience-group-managing-director-jayesh-shah-discusses-sumaria-s-future.htm Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:01:49 +0000 /strategic-resilience-group-managing-director-jayesh-shah-discusses-sumaria-s-future.htm Jayesh Shah, Group Managing Director at Sumaria Group, provides insights into the group’s trajectory, elaborating on the process of consolidation and articulating his forward-looking vision for the future of Sumaria.

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Driving Innovation and Dominance in Packaging: An Interview with Maurice Oyuyo, CFO at Silafrica /driving-innovation-and-dominance-in-packaging-an-interview-with-maurice-oyuyo-cfo-at-silafrica.htm Tue, 18 Jul 2023 06:06:19 +0000 /driving-innovation-and-dominance-in-packaging-an-interview-with-maurice-oyuyo-cfo-at-silafrica.htm In this exclusive interview, CFO Maurice Oyuyo highlights Silafrica's vision and position in the packaging industry in Kenya and East Africa. Oyuyo sees Silafrica as a dominant player in the packaging space, focused on tailored solutions for packaging, improving plastic usage, and providing innovative solutions to B2B customers. The company offers a wide range of products, including high-quality crates and innovative foldable crates that address environmental concerns.

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Silafrica Kenya: The Industry Leader Redefining Packaging in the East African Region /silafrica-kenya-the-industry-leader-redefining-packaging-in-the-east-african-region.htm Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:23:20 +0000 /silafrica-kenya-the-industry-leader-redefining-packaging-in-the-east-african-region.htm Maurice Oyuyo, CFO at Silafrica, explains how the packaging manufacturer has become the industry leader in Kenya and East Africa, and is redefining the packaging space in the region.

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