Monopol Colors East Africa

Production site in Nairobi

In 2015 Monopol Colors expanded to Africa. The complex political situation and differing values are an obstacle to progress but, nevertheless, Lionel Schlessinger is convinced Monopol is on the right track. The key to success: women in positions of leadership.

«One Kenya – One Nation» was at one time the slogan of the first president of Kenya. That was in the sixties. The dream of a united country remains a dream to this day. Since gaining independence, Kenya has suffered from ethnic rivalry, and corruption is rife. Despite these problems, Kenya has the strongest economy in East Africa so plays a leading role in the area.

Lionel Schlessinger is persuaded that Africa is the continent of the future, and hopes to manage the East-African market from Nairobi: Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Just recently Monopol Colors East Africa (MCEA) replaced the whole sales team. Dipan Patel, MD and Partner of MCEA stresses: «The women are taking responsibility. They often look after the household finances».

But women are also assuming important positions in business. For example, Alice Wanjiku Kimani, Daisy Dolly and Sarah Alacky Achieng are now setting the pace in the sales team at Monopol Colors East Africa. With this approach, the vision of being a center of excellence for paints in Africa should also become reality.