The 9th edition of Propak East Africa, held from May 20th to 22nd, 2025, truly outdid itself. It was our biggest show yet, boasting exhibitors from 23 countries and welcoming over 5,500 visitors across three bustling days. We were completely sold out, and honestly, the idea of knocking down a wall or two to accommodate even more exhibitor requests definitely crossed our minds!
The energy throughout the show was incredible. Everywhere you looked, there were lively conversations, valuable networking, captivating product demos, and fruitful business interactions. This vibrant atmosphere is precisely what keeps Propak thriving, and it truly embodies our core mission as exhibition organizers: to serve our world, nurture vital relationships, and develop new opportunities.
Beyond the Exhibition Floor: Knowledge and Connection
A key highlight this year was the Plastics, Recycling, and Sustainability Training held on the first day. Led by Plastics SA’s Annabe Pretorius and Kirtida Bhana, this full-day session was a significant step forward for both Propak and the industry at large. Attendees included sustainability managers, quality supervisors, and ESG managers. With the retail, manufacturing, plastics, and extended producer responsibility associations as well as other sectors well represented, who gained invaluable knowledge on plastics, explored end-of-life solutions, and delved into circular economy strategies.
The Eastern Africa Packaging Summit and our conference once again proved to be an invaluable addition to the exhibition. These engaging panel sessions tackled critical topics shaping the future of packaging in the region. Discussions ranged from how smart packaging and digital tools can help MSMEs scale to developing circular design standards and addressing the cost barriers to sustainable packaging. The conversations consistently highlighted innovation, accessibility, and sustainability—key pillars for driving industry growth across East Africa. For MSMEs in particular, the insights shared offered both practical solutions and a compelling vision for how thoughtful packaging can fuel broader business success. This underscores the industry's urgent need to embrace innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
To help our hard-working exhibitors recharge, we hosted the Propak Wind Down session at the Alloy Bar and Lounge. It was a perfect opportunity for them to relax, unwind, and take a well-deserved breather from the busy exhibition floor before gearing up for the final day.
A Collective Success
The continued support from the Kenyan Ministry of Industrialization, Trade, and Enterprise Development as well as the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises alongside various regional associations like Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya (IOPPK), Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization(KEPRO) Kenya Private Sector Alliance(KEPSA), Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry(KNCCI), Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation (PAKPRO), Sustainable Inclusive Business(SIB) and Institute of Packaging Partners Uganda (IPPU) and many others, continues to elevate Propak East Africa's standing as a trusted brand in the exhibition space. Their partnership is invaluable in reinforcing our position in the industry.
Our media partners also played a crucial role, ensuring that even those not in attendance got a glimpse into the exhibition through extensive coverage across print, digital, and mainstream media channels. Their constant presence and active participation help us share the Propak story and provide deeper insight and value to the entire industry.
Looking Ahead: The Big 10th!
A massive "hats off" to everyone who made Propak East Africa 2025 such a resounding success! This includes our incredible exhibitors, enthusiastic visitors, dedicated partners, generous sponsors, vital media partners, supporting associations, government stakeholders, and our amazing internal team. We truly couldn't have done it without your collective effort and passion.
As we look to 2026, the plan is simple: make our 10th edition even bigger and more memorable! We have a lot in store, and we're already working to ensure Propak East Africa's tenth anniversary is an unforgettable celebration of industry progress and partnership.
