By Joshua Otieno | May 11, 2026
NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya has signed a landmark trade agreement with French specialty tea company Palais des Thés in a move expected to transform the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers by opening direct access to premium European markets.
The agreement, witnessed by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, will focus on promoting Kenyan specialty teas, particularly the globally sought-after purple tea variety.
The deal is expected to bypass the traditional bulk tea auction system, allowing farmers to benefit directly from high-value international markets and retain larger profit margins previously captured by middlemen.
Facilitated through Equity Group Holdings under its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, the partnership brings together Gatanga Industries Limited and French agricultural experts to strengthen value addition and global market access.
Under the agreement, Palais des Thés will source premium Kenyan tea varieties including Purple White and Purple Simba while also marketing the story and heritage of Kenyan tea through its international retail and educational platforms.
“For too long, our farmers have grown a unique crop without access to buyers who understand its true value,” said Karanja Kinyanjui, Chairman of Gatanga Industries.
“This agreement tells the farmer that their work belongs in the highest-value markets in the world,” he added.
The partnership is expected to significantly improve income stability for smallholder farmers by focusing on premium pricing and value addition at the source.
Officials say the agreement also aligns with Kenya’s broader strategy of diversifying tea exports beyond raw commodity sales while expanding access to new global markets, including China, where Kenyan tea recently gained duty-free access from May 1, 2026.
The initiative further includes a parallel training and research collaboration with CIRAD aimed at helping Kenyan farmers meet stringent global export standards and improve production quality.
Purple tea, which is uniquely cultivated in Kenya’s high-altitude regions above 6,000 feet, has rapidly gained international recognition due to its exceptional health properties.
Unlike ordinary black tea, purple tea contains high levels of anthocyanins—the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries and pomegranates—which are associated with reduced risks of heart disease, inflammation, and chronic illnesses.
Researchers also point to the tea’s unique GHG compound, believed to support fat metabolism and weight management, while its lower caffeine content makes it attractive to health-conscious consumers seeking natural wellness products.
The tea’s rarity and scientifically backed health benefits have allowed it to command prices up to four times higher than regular black tea in international markets.
Industry stakeholders say the partnership positions Kenya as a global leader in tea innovation while strengthening the country’s reputation as a source of premium agricultural products.
