Participants enjoying Rwanda tea
The 6th Africa Tea Convention and Exhibition has convened in Rwanda to showcase achievements and opportunities, tackle key issues in the tea value chain and forge way forward.
Running from October 9 through October 11 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali, Rwanda, the event was organized by the East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA), Rwanda Tea Association (RTA) and National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
Participants include global tea industry stakeholders who discussed innovations, sustainability, and the future of tea production and trade in Africa.
“This year’s theme, ‘Harmony in the Cup: Promoting Tea for People and the Planet,’ reflects our commitment to sustainability, climate resilience, and the socio-economic contributions of tea to Africa. We are here to showcase the best of African tea production and explore cutting-edge technologies that have transformed the entire tea value chain,” said George Omuga, Managing Director of EATTA,
“We are grateful to the Government of Rwanda, RTA and sponsors for their unwavering support in organizing this event. This convention is a platform not only for dialogue but also for celebrating the African tea industry’s achievements.”
Local farmers at this event were thankful to the government’s efforts in promoting tea production, and all efforts that are deployed to make sure that they remain competitive to the global market.
They however expressed a global challenge of climate change which is undermining production. Marc Musabiremye, a cooperative leader in Rusizi, Western Province claimed that this year for example, they were very much affected by a lengthy dry season, which declined their production to 70 tons, against their actual 250 tons in seasonal production.
“We understand that during a prolonged dry season we are required to recourse to irrigation, but our tea plantations are in most cases locates in the hills, which makes it impossible to irrigate,” Musabiremye said.
“We saw irrigation good practices in Nasho, Eastern Province, but they cannot apply in our region,” said Marthe Mukanzira, another farmer who claimed that her cooperative lost nearly 300 tons due to the prolonged dry season.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture Eric Rwigamba assured that the country is working around the clock to find a permanent solution to challenges affecting the tea value chain, including resilience to climate change.
“We are following up the research outcome; we are working hard to find varieties that resist to harsh weather conditions. With strong fertilizers and good follow up, such trees can defy the odds and give the farmers good return on investment,” he said.
At this event, several best practices were shared and rewarded, with Rwanda taking six out of ten awards of best tea producers.
“Rwanda is happy to showcase its high-quality tea industry, which is built on good governance, modernized processes, and the adoption of advanced technologies. This convention provides a unique opportunity to engage, share insights, and shape the future of Africa’s tea sector,” said NAEB’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Claude Bizimana.
This year’s event underscored the critical role tea plays in Africa’s economic development. “Tea is not just a crop; it’s a lifeline for millions. “The tea industry provides employment opportunities, uplifts rural communities, and contributes significantly to GDP and foreign exchange earnings.” said Mr. Omuga.
Exhibition
Since 2005, Rwanda’s tea sector has funded over 659 community projects, positively impacting the country’s development, particularly in rural areas.
This convention takes place in Rwanda for the second time, following a successful event the country hosted in 2013.
Latest statistics indicate that Rwanda earned $ 115 million from tea production in the financial year 2023-2024.
Production increased to 40,000 tosn in June 2024 from 4,858 tons in 1978.
