Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Attends Opening of the 7th African Tea Convention and Exhibition in Nairobi
The Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya, Ms. Ruvini De Silva, attended the opening ceremony of the 7th African Tea Convention and Exhibition held on 16 September 2026 at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi.
The opening ceremony was graced by Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Kenya, as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh Paul, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, and Ms. Regina Akoth Ombam, Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade, together with the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Kenya, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Kenya, members of the diplomatic corps and senior representatives of the tea industry.
The Convention brought together participants and stakeholders from the tea sector representing 23 countries, including Sri Lanka, providing an important platform for exchanging views on developments, opportunities and emerging trends in the global and African tea industry.
Sri Lanka, renowned internationally for its Ceylon Tea, was represented at the Convention as part of its continued engagement with the African tea sector. Sri Lanka and Kenya are both important tea-producing countries, and the tea sector remains an area with considerable potential for enhanced cooperation, knowledge exchange and commercial engagement between the two countries.
During the event, the Acting High Commissioner also engaged with representatives and stakeholders from the tea industry, with discussions focusing on strengthening Sri Lanka–Kenya cooperation in the tea sector and identifying opportunities for future engagement.
The participation of the Sri Lanka High Commission in the Convention forms part of the Mission's efforts to further strengthen economic and commercial diplomacy between Sri Lanka and Kenya, particularly in sectors of mutual interest such as tea, trade and investment.
The High Commission also continues to promote opportunities for Kenyan businesses and investors to engage with Sri Lankan enterprises, including through Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which will be held in Colombo in January 2027.
