Kenya partners with Lipton to launch tea academy 

KENYA – Kenya’s Ministry of Education has signed a landmark agreement with Lipton Teas and Infusions to establish a Tea Academy at the University of Kabianga in Kericho County. 

The initiative is set to transform the country’s tea industry through advanced training, research, and sustainable farming practices. 

The partnership, which also includes Ekaterra Global Operations, the corporate entity behind Lipton, follows discussions held between President William Ruto and Lipton CEO Nathalie Roos in May 2023. 

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba hailed the development as a strategic alignment of education with industry needs.  

“This is the culmination of a long but productive journey. Our farmers will now have access to cutting-edge knowledge and skills that will enhance tea quality and increase yields,” he said. 

The Tea Academy will function as a hub for farmer training, research, and innovation, with a particular focus on climate-smart agriculture and sustainable tea production.  

Ogamba noted that the facility will equip farmers with modern technologies to combat climate change, improve productivity, and adopt low-carbon practices. 

Implementation of the project is set to begin immediately, with the first cohort of farmers and researchers expected to enroll by the end of 2025. 

Kericho County Governor Erick Mutai commended the national government for launching the Lipton Tea Innovation and Technology Academy (LTITA). He emphasized that the academy would enhance research, drive innovation, and support value addition in tea production.  

“We expect the academy will train over 3,000 Kenyans annually to build globally competitive talent for the tea industry,” said Mutai. 

The establishment of LTITA comes amid broader reforms in the sector. The government recently permitted all 142 tea factories across Kenya to sell directly to international markets, aiming to improve profitability for farmers by eliminating middlemen and increasing transparency. 

To promote Kenyan tea globally, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced he will lead a trade delegation—including representatives from the Tea Board of Kenya, Kenya Tea Development Agency, and East African Tea Trade Association—to major markets such as China, India, Russia, and the Middle East. 

Kagwe also revealed plans to launch an orthodox tea auction window within the Integrated Tea Trading System in June. Managed by EATTA and TBK, the new window will support the marketing of premium orthodox teas, allowing Kenya to diversify beyond its traditional Cut, Tear, and Curl (CTC) formats. 

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