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Unprecedented Crisis in the Kenyan Tea Industry Following Sudan's Import Ban

The tea industry in Kenya is facing an unprecedented crisis due to Sudan's sudden ban on Kenyan tea imports, leading to significant financial losses and increasing concerns in economic and political circles.
This decision has resulted in the detention of shipments valued at approximately 1.3 billion Kenyan shillings at ports, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers in this vital sector. The Kenyan newspaper "The Standard" reported that 207 containers loaded with tea destined for Sudan have been stalled at the Port of Mombasa, representing about 20% of total Kenyan shipments to Sudan, causing further disruptions to other shipments at Sudanese ports.
There are also shipments stuck at sea awaiting clearance for entry, complicating the situation further and negatively affecting trade flow between the two countries.
Sudan is considered the third-largest market for Kenyan tea globally, importing about 10% of Kenya's annual production. Therefore, this ban is a severe blow to the industry, as exporting companies face significant difficulties in recovering their financial dues or redirecting their goods to alternative markets.
The prolonged retention of stored tea reduces its quality, increasing the potential loss. According to the Kenyans.co.ke website, Kenyan exporters have incurred "unprecedented losses" due to this ban, amid warnings that the continued crisis could lead to widespread layoffs of workers in tea farms and factories.
Small-scale farmers who rely on exports are facing a dire financial situation, especially in the absence of alternative markets that can quickly absorb the surplus.
In light of these losses, exporters have urgently appealed to Kenyan President William Ruto for immediate intervention, demanding the government to utilize diplomatic channels to alleviate the crisis.
According to a report published by the BBC, pressure is mounting on Kenyan authorities to initiate direct talks with Khartoum to ensure the resumption of tea exports as soon as possible, as the sector remains under significant threat if urgent solutions are not found.
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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