Sudan officially ended its embargo on Kenyan tea imports, restoring a market that previously generated roughly US$70 million (Ksh 9 billion) in annual sales.

The reversal was formalised through Ministerial Order No 25 of 2026, signed on 8 November 2026 by Minister of Industry and Trade Mahasin Ali Yaqoub, and took immediate effect.

The order directs Sudanese trade and customs authorities to facilitate the resumption of tea imports, though it does not set specific quotas or a timetable for the first shipments.

The policy shift follows high‑level approvals earlier in the month, with the Sovereignty Council endorsing the move on 2 November and a Cabinet communication issued on 5 November.

An unnamed Sudanese official attributed the breakthrough to a recent diplomatic mission, describing it as driven by economic‑intelligence‑led diplomacy.

Prior to the ban, Sudan imported about 35 million kg of Kenyan tea each year, a volume that underpinned demand for smallholder farmers and exporters.

The 2025 ban had stranded over US$24 million (Ksh 3.1 billion) of tea in transit or awaiting clearance, with 207 forty‑foot containers delayed at Mombasa port, causing demurrage and storage losses.

With the legal barrier removed, Kenyan exporters can now re‑engage Sudanese buyers, though the speed of market recovery will depend on how quickly supply chains are re‑established and contracts secured.