Karis Instant Paints, led by its founder and CEO, Yemi Oshifodunrin, is introducing a patented, powder-based paint innovation that could change how paint is produced, transported, stored, purchased, and used across Africa.
In Nigeria’s construction industry, where rising material costs frequently derail projects and where manufacturers battle mounting logistics and storage expenses, Karis Instant Paints believes it has found a solution big enough to reset the economics of paint production.
In this edition of Techparley’s DRIVE100, where we spotlight Africa’s most promising startups, we turn our attention to how Karis Instant Paints is reinventing how paint is produced, transported, and used through Africa’s first patented instant-mix powder paint technology.
“Our new innovative patented product is the first of its type,” Oshifodunrin told Techparley. “Our unique value proposition is the reduction in cost, ease of production, and non spoilage of paints.
“I have spent about 35 years in the paint production business to know what works and what doesn’t. Here is the thing. For every bucket of paint you buy in the market, 25/30% of its cost goes to the plastic container. And, after use, the value of the container drops as it gets sold for a paltry sum for those who may desire to sell it.
“Imagine buying a paint for 10k and the 3k goes to the plastic container. And, if you seek to sell it after use, it gets bought for 500 naira. That’s 2500 naira wasted,” the paint researcher and scientist explained.
“A couple of years ago, our firm was on a project in Lagos that required about 400 buckets of paint. After the completion of the project, the estate manager could not handle the waste. And, he had to seek our help in selling the buckets off. You can only imagine the waste. That’s exactly why our new paint model is the way to go for painters and project managers.”
A First-of-Its-Kind Innovation
Karis Instant Paints says it is the first known innovation to convert both emulsion and texcote paints into a dry powder form, paired with a small liquid activator inserted directly in the sachet. Water is added only at the point of use, turning what was once a bulky, fragile, and expensive commodity into a portable, long-lasting product.
The result is an instant, do-it-yourself paint solution that mixes in minutes, eliminates waste, and dramatically reduces the cost of production for manufacturers and end-users alike.
Key Benefits at a Glance
- 20–30% reduction in cost of quality paints (no more expensive plastic buckets, no water added during manufacturing)
- 50% reduction in transportation costs (lighter cargo, more units shipped per truck)
- 50% lower storage costs (powder products require no specialised storage conditions)
- Longer shelf life (paint does not spoil because it isn’t pre-mixed)
- No waste (users mix only what they need per time)
- Higher quality control (freshly mixed paint performs better and maintains consistency)
“The day you mix it is the day you produce it,” Oshifodunrin says. “Nothing goes bad. And you only mix the exact quantity you need. We are now launching this product to the public because we have tested it for about 6-7 years on building projects locally.”
Why This Matters
Nigeria’s paints and coatings industry has struggled with rising costs driven by inflation, FX volatility, and supply chain disruptions. Packaging materials, mostly plastic, have seen some of the steepest spikes.
For builders and homeowners, Karis Instant Paints says the impact is immediate:
- Higher building costs
- More expensive renovations
- Frequent waste from unused or spoiled paint
- Heavy logistics costs for contractors working across multiple sites
Karis Instant Paints’ powder-based model directly attacks these pain points, offering a solution that reduces costs across the value chain, from manufacturer to retailer to end-user.
A Patent, A Factory, and a Mission
The startup operates from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Incubation Centre in Odogbolu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
With manufacturing ready and commercialisation now imminent, the company is preparing for its market debut. Five full-time staff make up the team, including a general manager, two qualified marketing officers, and a business management expert.
“Our team understands both the science and the market,” the CEO notes. “We have the right people for the scale we are entering.”
Karis Instant Paints says it is positioning itself against all producers of traditional liquid paints, both within and beyond Nigeria. But the company’s value proposition offers a structural advantage the incumbents simply don’t have.
What Makes Karis Different
- Powder-based formula (unique globally for emulsion and texcote paints)
- Activator inserted inside each sachet
- Minimal packaging
- Zero spoilage
- Easier logistics and distribution
- Low-cost DIY process
This, Oshifodunrin believes, puts his startup in a category of its own.
Progress, Traction, and Expansion Plans
Karis Instant Paints is now fully ready for commercialisation, with discussions ongoing with distributors and construction sector partners. The company is also receiving interest from potential dealers across West Africa.
Like most early-stage manufacturing startups, financing remains the biggest hurdle. Without sufficient working capital, scaling production and distribution can be slow.
When asked what the government can do to support startups, Oshifodunrin says it is funding, and better visibility for innovators.
The global insulating paints and coatings market size was valued at $9 billion in 2021 and is expected to surpass $13.75 billion by 2028.
Innovations like Karis Instant Paints align directly with these emerging needs, positioning the startup to capture significant market share as demand grows for more efficient, affordable, and scalable building materials across the region.
Karis Instant Paints may not be a household name yet, but experts say its patented powder-based instant emulsion and texcote paint could become one of the most disruptive innovations to emerge from Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
Talking Points
It is impressive that Karis Instant Paints has developed a patented powder-based instant-mix paint, addressing a major barrier many Nigerian homeowners, contractors, and builders face: high cost and waste in traditional liquid paints.
This single innovation alone positions Karis Instant Paints as a practical solution for real industry challenges, especially for construction professionals and DIY users who struggle with packaging costs, logistics, storage, and spoilage.
At Techparley, we see how tools like this can transform the paints and coatings sector, bringing efficiency and affordability to both urban and rural markets, where conventional paint distribution is costly and often inconsistent.
By removing water during production and providing paint in powder sachets with an activator, Karis Instant Paints significantly reduces cost, minimises waste, and extends shelf life, enabling users to mix only what they need.
As Karis Instant Paints prepares to launch commercially, there is a clear opportunity for partnerships and dealerships to accelerate distribution across Nigeria and West Africa. With the right support, the startup has the potential to redefine how paint is produced, transported, and used across the continent.
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