PRESS RELEASE
Speaking during the awards ceremony, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Ms. Annette Ssemuwebwa noted how consistent improvements in quality can transform businesses.
“Quality too often begins with small things, a decision to improve a process, a commitment to listen more carefully to customers, a determination to reduce waste, eliminate defects, or raise standards. Over time these seemingly small improvements can transform a company, strengthen its reputation, inspire customer confidence, and enhance its competitiveness,” she said.
The competition connects national recognition with regional achievement. National Standards Bodies assess and nominate national winners, who advance to the regional competition coordinated by the EAC Secretariat. This gives enterprises a platform to showcase their achievements beyond their home markets.
Mrs Chantal Tuyishimre, Permanent Secretary in Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, highlighted the practical barriers that small businesses face in accessing information, meeting standards and obtaining certification. She called for stronger support to enterprises and better coordination among regulatory institutions to make compliance more accessible while protecting consumers.
"Quality cannot be compromised. But we must also make it easier for businesses, especially MSMEs, to understand and meet standards. By harmonising requirements, strengthening mutual recognition and improving the services our institutions provide, we can help enterprises build customer trust and reach more markets. Behind every product are people, families and jobs; investing in quality is investing in their future," added the Permanent Secretary.
Her remarks underscored the importance of helping enterprises translate quality improvements into business growth, while encouraging East African producers to serve both regional and international markets.
The EAC initiative receives support from the European Union through the EU–EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II), as part of Global Gateway. Implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the EAC Secretariat, the programme supports efforts to strengthen enterprise competitiveness and expand market access.
Ms. Helena Guarin, Team Leader, Rural Development Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda, emphasised that investment in quality is essential for businesses to benefit from expanding trade opportunities, nothing that, "Infrastructure and investment alone are not enough. Enterprises must also have the necessary skills and business capacities in order to participate in these growing markets and value chains. By helping businesses to strengthen their quality performance, initiatives like MARKUP II are contributing to the foundations for greater regional integration and stronger commercial partnerships between East Africa, Europe and global markets."
Ms. Guarin also encouraged enterprises to see quality as an investment in their future, highlighting the importance of continuous learning, innovation and commitment to standards in turning entrepreneurial potential into lasting business opportunities.
Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority received the Company of the Year award for large enterprises, while Simba Pipe Industries Limited of the United Republic of Tanzania won the SME award. In the Product of the Year category, Kevian Kenya Limited took the large enterprise award and Tanzania’s Rohi Company Limited won among SMEs.
The Kenya Power and Lighting Company PLC Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme won Service of the Year in the private-sector large enterprise category. Somalia’s Tabaarak ICT Solutions received the corresponding SME award, while Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission (FCC) won Service of the Year in the public sector.
Exporter of the Year honours went to Tanzania’s Nature’s Fish Limited in the large enterprise category and South Sudan’s Precise Enterprise Limited among SMEs.
The recognised organisations span manufacturing, food and beverages, financial services, healthcare, technology and public service delivery. Rwanda’s SteelRwa Industries Ltd, Santech and Meteo Rwanda were among the runners-up.
The EAC called on award recipients to use their recognition to champion standards and quality across the region and demonstrate how the awards contribute to improvements in their businesses. Ms. Mutawe encouraged winners to become ambassadors for quality and share the difference that recognition makes to their competitiveness.
Through the awards, the EAC encourages enterprises to pursue continuous improvement, share experience across borders and strengthen confidence in East African goods and services.