Kenyan organisations secured the largest number of first-place awards at the 2026 East African Community (EAC) Regional Quality Awards, while three Rwandan companies earned recognition in their respective categories during the ceremony held in Kigali.
The fourth edition of the awards took place on November 2, bringing together organisations from across the regional bloc to recognise performance in quality management, products and services.
Among the Rwandan recipients, San Tech placed second in the category for small and medium-sized enterprises providing quality services. Somalia’s Tabaarak ICT Solutions won the category.
Meteo Rwanda finished third among public institutions, behind Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission and Kenya Electricity Generating Company Plc, which took first and second place respectively.
SteelRwa Industries Ltd, a Rwandan steel manufacturer, was also recognised in the large-enterprise category. Kenya’s Capital Market Authority took the top position, followed by Tanzania’s Chemi & Cotex Industries.
The competition attracted organisations from several EAC member states. Tanzania and Somalia each entered nine organisations, Rwanda had eight, Kenya six, South Sudan five and Burundi four.
Rwanda’s eight participating organisations also included Vizion Bot Ltd, Ruliba Clays Ltd, Africa Quantitative Sciences, Rwashoscco Ltd and Fresh Vegetables Garden Ltd.
The awards were established by the EAC in 2022 to encourage organisations to adopt quality standards, strengthen competitiveness and support sustainable economic development and trade within the region.
Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of trade, said the inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises was intended to encourage businesses to build strong quality systems as they expand.
“An enterprise does not have to start big to become big. It needs commitment to improving what it does, paying attention to customers’ needs and protecting the environment, all of which raise quality standards,” she said.
She added that businesses that consistently improve quality can strengthen their reputation, earn customer trust and compete more effectively.
Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Chantal Tuyishimire, said the country’s results should motivate companies to improve their products and services ahead of future editions.
“Quality affects people’s lives. When it is not properly maintained, it can have negative consequences for them. Having companies in second and third positions is also an opportunity to build on that progress so that they can reach the top next time,” she said.
For San Tech, the second-place result reflects the company’s expansion beyond Rwanda. Its founder and chief executive, Shema Pacifique, said the firm now has offices in Rwanda and Somalia, with 47 institutions, including the National Bank of Rwanda, using its technology.
The company has developed a system that allows people to present their documents once when accessing services, reducing the need to submit the same information repeatedly.
Rwanda also presented its Zamukana Ubuziranenge programme during the ceremony. The initiative is intended to help businesses, especially small enterprises, adopt quality standards and comply with requirements needed to compete in international markets.
The awards were held alongside an exhibition of products and services from small and medium-sized enterprises in EAC countries in Kigali.
