Kenya’s President William Ruto welcomed Sudan’s decision to lift a 20-month ban on Kenyan tea imports. The move, announced through a new ministerial order signed by Sudan’s Minister of Industry and Trade Mahasin Ali Yaqoub, allows Kenyan tea to re-enter the Sudanese market. The ban, which had been in place since early 2024, had left thousands of kilograms of tea stranded in Mombasa, Kenya’s main port.
The order, numbered Ministerial Order No. 25 of 2026, was issued with immediate effect. It marks the end of a trade restriction that had disrupted a market valued in billions of Sudanese shillings. Kenyan tea producers had faced significant financial losses during the embargo, as their products were unable to reach Sudanese consumers.
The decision follows months of diplomatic discussions between the two nations. Sudan’s move is expected to restore access to a key export market for Kenyan tea, helping exporters recover lost business opportunities. The resumption of trade is also seen as a step toward stabilizing regional economic relations.
The ban had created uncertainty for both countries’ agricultural sectors. With the lifting of the restriction, Kenyan tea is now allowed to be imported into Sudan, potentially boosting trade volumes and restoring supply chains. The resolution of this trade dispute highlights the importance of bilateral agreements in regional commerce.
