Kenyan tea exporters are set to resume shipments to Sudan after the country lifted a 20-month trade ban. The decision follows diplomatic talks between President William Ruto and Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris during the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) summit. The ban had disrupted exports and left billions of shillings worth of tea stranded in warehouses.
Sudan issued a new ministerial order to end the embargo, effective immediately. The move comes after months of negotiations between the two nations. Kenyan tea farmers had faced significant financial losses due to the prolonged restrictions. The resumption of trade is expected to restore access to a key market for Kenyan tea, helping exporters recover lost business opportunities.
The trade ban, imposed last year, had created uncertainty for Kenyan tea producers. With the embargo lifted, the sector now faces renewed prospects. The resolution marks a positive step in bilateral economic relations, though challenges remain in ensuring smooth reintegration of the product into Sudanese markets. The decision reflects growing cooperation between the two nations in trade and economic matters.
