Sri Lankan conglomerate Hemas Holdings has acquired a majority stake in Kenya's Twiga Stationers & Printers Limited, marking the company's first international acquisition and entry into the East African market.

Hemas Holdings PLC, a major diversified conglomerate based in Sri Lanka, has announced its expansion into East Africa through the acquisition of a controlling stake in Twiga Stationers & Printers Limited, one of Kenya's leading stationery manufacturers. The Kenyan company operates well-known regional brands including Kasuku, CrownBird, and Envoy, with distribution reaching beyond Kenya's borders.

The acquisition represents a strategic milestone in Hemas' international expansion plans and positions the conglomerate to tap into Kenya's substantial consumer market, which has a GDP exceeding USD 136 billion and a population of over 54 million, predominantly young and growing. According to Hemas Group CEO Ashish Chandra, the move provides access to a large emerging market while establishing a foundation for broader East African operations in the future.

Twiga's established brand recognition, manufacturing infrastructure, and distribution network will complement Hemas' existing consumer portfolio, particularly through synergies with Atlas Axillia, Sri Lanka's leading learning brand. The company expects opportunities to collaborate on back-to-school and education-focused consumer segments. Managing Director Sabrina Esufally noted that East Africa and Bangladesh now form key components of the company's international consumer strategy, with regional markets expected to contribute meaningfully to future growth.

Despite its international expansion, Hemas reaffirmed its commitment to continued investment in Sri Lanka, emphasizing its focus on building purpose-driven brands, developing regional capabilities, and creating long-term value for stakeholders.