Media Partner to the Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya (IOPPK)

At Memora Visuals, we believe that every milestone deserves more than documentation – it deserves to be felt, remembered, and cherished with depth, emotion, and artistic precision. As the dedicated media partner to the Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya (IOPPK), we were privileged to capture the powerful stories unfolding at Propak East Africa 2026, held from March 3 – 5 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.

This 10th-anniversary edition of East Africa’s premier packaging, printing, plastics, and food processing exhibition was more than an industry gathering. It was a living testament to innovation, resilience, and the quiet ambition driving Kenya’s trade future. Through our lenses, we preserved the heartfelt conviction of leaders shaping a circular, responsible packaging sector – one that protects value, honours producers, and elevates Kenyan and East African products on global shelves.

Our role went beyond recording speeches and moments. We told the visual stories that matter: the strategic infrastructure of packaging as a gateway to markets, the transformative power of sustainable solutions, and the human commitment behind every policy ask and digital platform launch.

The Heart of Trade: Packaging as a Strategic Pillar

In a standout address that moved everyone present, Joseph Nyongesa, CEO of IOPPK, reminded us why packaging is far more than a technical afterthought. Speaking with the clarity and conviction we have come to expect from IOPPK’s leadership, he described packaging technology as “the silent strategic infrastructure of trade” – the bridge carrying products from village workshops to regional markets and global shelves.

Nyongesa’s words carried the weight of real impact: protecting value, unlocking competitiveness, and transforming local enterprises into export-ready powerhouses. He positioned the EAC Annual Packaging Summit (a signature feature of Propak) as the region’s anchor for standards alignment, sustainability, and shared progress. As a member of the African Packaging Organisation (APO) and World Packaging Organization (WPO), IOPPK has spent a decade strengthening this platform alongside Montgomery East Africa.

We captured the emotional resonance in the room when he made a bold, nation-building ask: that packaging be given its own dedicated chapter as a Strategic Pillar in Kenya’s Trade Policy. The vision he painted – embedding innovation, standards, circularity, product safety, and market access into national strategies – is one we believe deserves to be remembered and acted upon. It honors farmers, artisans, SMEs, and entire communities whose livelihoods depend on competitive, export-ready packaging.

A Digital Legacy for SMEs: The East African Packaging Directory

Complementing this vision, Rita Mchaki, Associate Programme Adviser for Value Chain Packaging at the International Trade Centre (ITC), delivered a forward-looking presentation titled “The Future of Packaging in East Africa: Leveraging the East African Packaging Directory for Regional Competitiveness.”

Her message was clear and empowering: packaging is a competitiveness driver – essential for food safety, branding, value addition in agro-processing, and SME growth under the EAC and AfCFTA. She highlighted market forces shaping the sector: booming FMCG and pharmaceuticals, stricter sustainability regulations (including the EU Green Deal), and rising consumer demand for eco-friendly solutions.

Mchaki openly addressed structural gaps – fragmented supplier linkages, limited visibility of certified manufacturers, and slow adoption of sustainable materials – before presenting ITC’s practical solution under the MARKUP II Programme: The East African Packaging Directory.

This digital B2B platform connects verified suppliers across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan with SMEs. It reduces sourcing risks, improves export readiness, and promotes cross-border partnerships. For suppliers, it offers regional visibility and incentives for certification and sustainable innovation. For SMEs, it provides trusted access to biodegradable, recycled, and compostable options aligned with SDG 12 and Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks.

We documented these insights not merely as data points, but as moments of possibility – the exact kind of stories Memora Visuals exists to preserve.

Why These Stories Matter for East Africa’s Packaging Legacy

Through our cameras and storytelling craft, we witnessed Propak East Africa 2026 reaffirm packaging’s evolution from cost centre to strategic enabler of sustainable growth. The emphasis on circular economy practices, eco-friendly materials, and regional harmonisation reflects a sector ready to meet global standards while serving local communities.

As IOPPK’s media partner, we are committed to amplifying these narratives. The passion of leaders like Joseph Nyongesa and the practical tools shared by Rita Mchaki deserve to outlive the moment – to inspire investment, policy change, and innovation across Kenya and the wider East African region.

Looking Ahead: Preserving the Next Chapter

The legacies captured at Propak East Africa 2026 are only the beginning. IOPPK continues to champion professional development, standards excellence, and sustainable packaging solutions that position East Africa as a competitive force.

At Memora Visuals, we stand ready to document your next milestone – whether it’s a product launch, corporate achievement, or industry summit. Because your memories – and your industry’s progress – deserve more than just a picture. They deserve a legacy.

CALL TO ACTION

Suppliers and SMEs: Register on the East African Packaging Directory and explore sustainable partnerships.

Industry leaders: Let us help you tell your packaging story visually – contact Memora Visuals today.

Connect with IOPPK for professional development and advocacy in Kenya’s packaging sector.

May the memories we capture outlive the moment – and may every frame speak louder than time itself.