17 days after the government of Sudan banned the importation of Kenyan products, including tea, Kenya's Head of State revealed the war-torn country has reversed its decision. While speaking during an interview with local media on Monday night, President William Ruto said market forces have forced Sudan to resume imports of Kenyan tea barely a month after it announced the ban. According to Ruto, there is no issue with exporting Kenyan tea to Sudan, which offers relief to a majority of farmers. "Even after they said they are not buying our tea, the market itself has forced them," Ruto said during the interview at Sagana State Lodge.
Delegates affiliated to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during a meeting to sign a new government charter that was later postponed on February 18, 2025.
Photo Reuters At the time of the ban, there were concerns that the move could lead to price increases for certain goods in Sudan, which is already facing high inflation on commodities due to the ongoing war.
Adding, "We sell tea today to Sudan, so there is absolutely no issue about selling tea, and that is why we are making money in the tea sector." On March 14, Sudan suspended all imports from Kenya in protest after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are fighting the army in a two-year civil war, formed a parallel government in Nairobi.
