East African Packaging Industries

What East African Packaging Industries does

East African Packaging Industries (EAPI) is a Nairobi-based corrugated packaging manufacturer founded in 1959, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Canadian Overseas Packaging Industries (COPI) group. The company designs and produces single wall (3-ply) and double wall (5-ply) corrugated cartons, including vented flower boxes for floriculture exports, avo and pineapple boxes for fresh produce shipping by sea and air, vegetable boxes, chick boxes for poultry/hatchery use, FMCG cartons, and standard removal/archive boxes. Manufacturing is concentrated at the Corrugated Cartons Division on Kitui Road, Nairobi, equipped with PLC and pneumatic machinery, online data logging, VFD motors, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting (26 x 10,000L tanks), an effluent treatment system meeting NEMA standards, and a biomass boiler running on maize cobs and wood that replaced prior Heavy Fuel Oil operations.

EAPI runs a sales-led go-to-market organized around enterprise field sales for custom solutions (with a quote-based Product Development Template process), a self-service e-commerce storefront for standard SKUs, and direct logistics/delivery from its Nairobi hub. The firm serves 452 active customers across floriculture, agriculture, FMCG, poultry, industrial, and food and beverage verticals, with named accounts that include Total, RVR, Brandmarque, Shalimar Fresh, UDV, and Van. Pricing is unit-based for standard boxes and quote-based for custom work, with a stated 5–7 day standard delivery window and 50+ product types. Differentiation rests on a dense certification stack (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 22000:2018, Sedex Supplier Plus, KEBS, NEMA, OSHA, KEPRO), 81%+ sourcing from forestry-certified millers, 100% recyclable and biodegradable products, and standards collaboration with KEBS.

Revenue mechanics are dominated by one-time product sales (custom corrugated packaging and standard boxes); management team, headcount detail beyond the 51–100 band, and financial performance metrics are not disclosed in public source material. The company is pursuing digital and circular-economy initiatives through the 2020s and is positioning for Kenya's 2024 Extended Producer Responsibility regime via KEPRO membership.

Name

East African Packaging Industries

Legal name

East African Packaging Industries Ltd

Website

https://eapi.co.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

East African Packaging Industries (EAPI) is a Nairobi-based corrugated packaging manufacturer founded in 1959, wholly owned by Canadian Overseas Packaging Industries (COPI). It produces single and double wall cartons for floriculture, fresh produce, FMCG, poultry, and industrial customers across East Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corrugated Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Paper-Based Packaging & Single-Use Paper Products (Paper Bags, Wraps, Cartons) (CRADALAL), Secondary & Multipack Packaging (IMALAHAB)

Keywords

• Corrugated carton manufacturing
• Sustainable packaging solutions
• Fresh produce packaging
• Floriculture export packaging
• Industrial corrugated boxes

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corrugated Packaging Products: Manufacturing and sale of corrugated cartons including single wall (3-ply) and double wall (5-ply) boxes for various industries. Revenue generated from direct product sales to 452 active customers across floriculture, agriculture, FMCG, poultry, and industrial sectors.
2. Custom Packaging Solutions: Custom design and manufacturing of tailored packaging solutions for specific customer requirements, including branding and specialized designs for unique industry needs
3. Standard Product Sales: Sale of standard packaging products including flower boxes, avo boxes, pineapple boxes, vegetable boxes, chick boxes, removal boxes, and archive boxes through e-commerce platform

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

East African Packaging Industries designs and manufactures corrugated packaging including single wall (3-ply) and double wall (5-ply) cartons. The portfolio covers industry-specific boxes for floriculture, fresh produce, poultry, FMCG, and industrial customers, alongside standard consumer removal and archive boxes available via an online storefront. All products are 100% recyclable and biodegradable, with custom printing, branding, and bespoke dimensions offered on order.

Product overview

East African Packaging Industries (EAPI) offers a unified portfolio of corrugated packaging solutions organized around industry-specific and general-purpose product lines. The core offerings include specialized boxes for agriculture and floriculture (Flower Boxes, Avo Boxes, Pineapple Boxes, Vegetable Boxes, Chick Box) and general consumer boxes (Small/Medium/Large/X-Large Removal boxes and Large Archive box), plus industrial-grade Double Wall (5-ply) and standard Single Wall (3-ply) options. All products support customization for branding and dimensions. The company positions 100% recyclable materials as a portfolio-wide differentiator, with capabilities spanning food-safe packaging (ISO 22000 certified), custom printing, and design services for diverse industries including flowers, horticulture, poultry, FMCG, and agriculture across East Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flower Boxes Long, vented corrugated cartons designed for safe transport of cut flowers in the floriculture export industry. Supports stems while preventing damage and is customizable with customer branding.
• Avo Boxes Strong, vented corrugated cartons for safe transport of fresh avocados, available in 4kg and 10kg sizes. Durable, stackable and customizable for agricultural exports.
• Pineapple Boxes Durable corrugated cartons for fresh pineapple exports, available in tray format for sea freight and Pack 6 format for air freight with six-slot partitioning.
• Vegetable Boxes Vented corrugated cartons for safe, hygienic transport of fresh produce with strong stacking capability and airflow slots for freshness preservation.
• Chick Box Packaging specially designed for safe transport of day-old chicks, with ventilation slots, secure locking flaps, and smooth interior; intended for hatcheries and poultry operations.
• FMCG Boxes Versatile corrugated packaging solutions for fast-moving consumer goods, designed for retail display and efficient shipping.
• Small Removal Box Compact removal box measuring 400mm x 300mm x 300mm sold online for household moving and storage, priced at KSh 139.20 per unit.
• Medium Removal Box Mid-sized removal box measuring 500mm x 400mm x 400mm sold online for household moving and storage, priced at KSh 237.80 per unit.
• Large Removal Box Large removal box measuring 600mm x 500mm x 500mm sold online for household moving and storage, priced at KSh 580.00 per unit.
• X-Large Removal Box Extra-large removal box measuring 700mm x 600mm x 600mm sold online for household moving and storage, priced at KSh 794.60 per unit.
• Large Archive Box Archive box designed to hold seven filled files, measuring 605mm x 375mm x 295mm, sold online for document storage at KSh 377.00 per unit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 249K+ orders fulfilled
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Canadian Overseas Packaging Industries (COPI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1980COPI is the parent company - a wholly owned subsidiary relationship where COPI holds 100% ownership of East African Packaging Industries. The partnership brought international expertise and advanced manufacturing technologies to EAPI operations, elevating capabilities significantly since the 1980s partnership.
• Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with KEBS in development of paper specific standards (KS 921: 2024, WD/00/2024) for kraft liner, test liner, and fluting papers. Liaising on standardization marking permits and compliance requirements.
• KEPRO (Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAPI joined KEPRO to manage Post Consumer Waste (PCW) responsibly in compliance with Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations, 2024 under Legal Notice No. 176.
• Nairobi Water and Sewerage CompanyminorOthersRegulatory partnership for annual effluent discharge license. EAPI treats effluent to ensure hazardous effluent is not discharged to the environment, with treated effluent meeting NEMA requirements.
• NEMA (National Environment Management Authority)coreOthersRegulatory compliance partnership ensuring environmental standards are met. EAPI maintains compliance with all local and international environmental laws and ISO 14001 standards.
• Forestry Certified MillerscoreOthersSustainable raw material suppliers achieving 81%+ ethical sourcing. EAPI sources paper materials from certified, sustainable suppliers ensuring all inputs meet strict environmental and ethical standards.
• Amara Charitable TrustminorOthersCSR partnership providing financial aid and internship opportunities for students who are beneficiaries of Amara's TVETS (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chandaria Industries: One of Kenya's largest diversified packaging manufacturers producing cartons, flexible packaging, and metal containers for East African FMCG and industrial customers. Directly comparable as a domestic corrugated and packaging competitor sharing the same Kenyan customer base.
• Patel Processing & Packaging Industries: Kenyan manufacturer of paper sacks, kraft bags, and industrial paper packaging serving agriculture and FMCG in East Africa. Highly comparable given EAPI's paper-sack line and overlap in agriculture and FMCG end-markets.
• Safepak Industries: Kenya-based corrugated and carton packaging manufacturer serving East African FMCG, agriculture, and industrial customers. Directly competes with EAPI on standard and custom corrugated boxes within the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• Mondi plc: Global integrated paper and corrugated packaging group with operations across emerging markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent in containerboard and corrugated packaging whose entry or expansion into East Africa would directly pressure EAPI.
• Smurfit Kappa: World's largest listed corrugated packaging producer with growing presence in Africa. Comparable on product (corrugated boxes, sustainable packaging) and on multinational buyer relationships that increasingly source from certified African converters.
• International Paper: Global paper and packaging major producing containerboard and corrugated boxes. Comparable as a large incumbent in the same product category whose ESG-certified supply chain competes for the same multinational FMCG and produce buyers EAPI serves.
• Sappi Limited: Global paper and packaging supplier with strong sustainability credentials and African exposure. Comparable on sustainable paper-based packaging and on serving converters and brand owners demanding certified, recyclable substrates.
• Westrock Company: Major global paper and packaging company formed from the combination of WestRock and Smurfit Kappa. Comparable as a corrugated packaging incumbent pursuing sustainable packaging strategies similar to EAPI's.

Regional players

• Packaging Industries Limited (Tanzania): Tanzanian corrugated and paper packaging producer serving East African markets. Comparable as a regional East African converter competing for cross-border FMCG and industrial accounts.
• Nampak Ltd: Africa's largest packaging group headquartered in South Africa, producing cartons, plastics, metals, and paper packaging across the continent. Comparable as a pan-African packaging competitor with scale advantages in the regional market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about East African Packaging Industries