EAC Regional Quality Awards 2024 Elevating Standards: Driving Regional Excellence and Global Competitiveness

On Wednesday, December 4th, Uganda’s business community gathered to celebrate the second edition of the East African Community (EAC) Regional Quality Awards. This prestigious event honored enterprises across East Africa for their excellence in quality, underscoring the importance of business growth, sustainability, and regional competitiveness.

The awards recognized outstanding achievements in categories such as Company of the Year, Service Company of the Year, and Product of the Year for both MSMEs (Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises) and Large Enterprises (LE). Nominees were drawn from national competitions held across EAC member states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Organized by the EAC Secretariat in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and hosted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), the event was made possible through support from the European Union (EU) under the second phase of the Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II).

MARKUP II, a €40 million EU-funded initiative, aims to boost economic growth across the EAC by fostering private sector development, promoting exports, and enabling sustainable trade. The program addresses trade barriers, enhances value addition, and strengthens compliance with international standards while encouraging technology transfer and investment opportunities.

The EAC Regional Quality Awards are a key element of the MARKUP II initiative, championing a culture of quality and innovation among East African enterprises. By celebrating achievements in quality management, the awards elevate regional competitiveness, provide access to global markets, and inspire businesses to adopt best practices in sustainability and innovation.

According to the statement from the EAC Secretariat, “as an annual event, the awards not only recognize success but also drive knowledge-sharing and collaboration, fostering a spirit of continuous improvement across the region. By raising awareness of the benefits of quality and safety standards, the awards encourage enterprises to strive for excellence and set benchmarks for the future.

This initiative highlights the critical role of quality in unlocking market access, driving innovation, and promoting environmental sustainability—core elements of East Africa’s journey toward regional integration and global relevance.