Kenya sets sight on becoming first African nation to certify low-carbon tea 

KENYA – Kenya is aiming to become the first African country to certify its tea as low-carbon, a move expected to double export earnings and significantly enhance income for more than 700,000 smallholder farmers.  

This initiative, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is being implemented in partnership with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and the Ministry of Agriculture. 

The programme is part of a broader US$5 million pilot project funded by China and Germany, focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the tea value chain. The strategy is also aligned with global climate accountability and sustainability standards. 

During an international workshop on the feasibility of low-carbon tea certification, FAO Project Manager for Resilient Livelihoods and Climate Change, Barrack Okoba, said that tea was selected because it remains Kenya’s leading foreign exchange earner. 

“The goal is to protect the environment, sustain production, and raise farmer incomes,” he explained. 

To ensure traceability and credibility, blockchain technology will be integrated into the programme. This will enable global consumers to trace a pack of tea back to the specific farmer and confirm that it was grown using verified low-carbon practices. 

KTDA, which oversees 71 tea factories across 21 counties, plays a central role in the project.

According to KTDA Foundation General Manager, Sudi Matara, Kenya already operates within a low-carbon production zone due to limited pesticide use and the widespread application of regenerative and climate-smart agriculture techniques. 

“Without action, productivity could fall by 20 percent due to climate change. We’re already mitigating this with factory automation, solar energy adoption, use of biomass briquettes, and off-grid power solutions in 17 factories,” Matara said. 

Leonard Kubok, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crop Resources Management Division, said the certification reflects growing international demand for sustainably produced goods.  

“This is a significant step toward climate accountability and preserving the livelihoods of over 7 million Kenyans involved in the tea sector,” he stated. 

Willy Mutai, CEO of the Tea Board of Kenya, added that the initiative could increase tea export revenues from the current KES 215 billion (US$1.7B) to KES 440 billion (US$3.4B) within five to ten years.  

“Farm gate prices could rise from KES 64 (US$0.49) to KES 90 (US$0.69) per kilo. This certification has the potential to transform rural economies,” he said. 

Kenya’s commitment to pesticide-free cultivation and adoption of solar and hydropower solutions in tea-producing regions like Kisii and Nandi positions the country as a regional model for sustainable tea production. 

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