Kenya Continues Tea Exports to Sudan Despite Official Ban, Says President Ruto

Nairobi, The Gulf Observer: Kenya continues to export tea products to Sudan despite the Sudanese government’s recent ban on Kenyan imports, President William Ruto has affirmed.

Speaking during a joint media interview on Monday evening, President Ruto reassured stakeholders in the Kenyan tea industry that trade relations with Sudan remained active. He emphasized that demand for Kenyan tea remained strong and that the industry continued to generate revenue, despite the imposed trade restrictions.

“By the way, we are selling tea to Sudan, even after they said they are not buying our tea. The market itself has forced them. We sell tea today to Sudan, so there is no issue about selling tea, and that is why we are making money in the tea sector,” President Ruto stated.

The Head of State attributed the continued demand for Kenyan tea to Sudan’s inability to sustain itself without the product, suggesting that the economic necessity had effectively overridden the official trade ban.

On March 14, 2025, the Sudanese government officially banned the importation of Kenyan products into the country. A directive issued by Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply on March 11 instructed all relevant authorities to enforce the ban.

“The import of all products coming from the State of Kenya through all ports, crossings, airports, and outlets is suspended, effective from this date until further notice,” Acting Minister Omar Ahmed Mohamed Ali announced, stressing that all concerned parties must comply with the decision.

The trade ban followed a resolution by Sudan’s Cabinet, which cited Kenya’s alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The Sudanese Sovereign Council accused Nairobi of hosting RSF members and sponsoring their activities and meetings, arguing that such actions threatened Sudan’s national security.

Despite these developments, President Ruto dismissed claims that Kenya’s agricultural sector was facing financial difficulties due to the Sudanese import restrictions. He maintained that Kenya’s tea industry remained resilient, with demand continuing to drive exports even in challenging geopolitical circumstances.

As diplomatic and economic tensions persist, the situation between the two nations remains fluid, with potential implications for future trade and political relations.