Kenya has officially lifted more than 20 years of protection for its sugar industry and will permit low-cost sugar imports from the COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), Africa’s largest trading bloc, according to a government regulatory body on Sunday.
The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) stated that the government has officially withdrawn from the COMESA Sugar Safeguard regime after 24 years, signaling a major shift for the nation’s sugar industry.
“Kenya now enters a new phase defined by competitiveness, value addition, regional integration, and sustainable growth, supported by a clear policy framework and a restructured private-sector-led industry,” Kenya Sugar Board Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire said.
Under the revised rules, sugar from COMESA countries can be imported duty‑free without limits.
Chesire emphasized that the government is fully dedicated to protecting farmers’ livelihoods, supporting the sustainability of millers, and ensuring food security, price stability, and the long-term growth of the sugar industry within the COMESA Free Trade Area.
The Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) reported that the country’s sugar sub-sector has shown significant recovery, with sugarcane acreage increasing by 19.4% to 289,631 hectares, driven by favorable rainfall, better access to certified seed cane, and targeted fertilizer subsidies.
Chesire noted that sugar output has surged by over 70%, from 472,773 metric tons in 2022 to 815,454 metric tons, reflecting improvements in both farm productivity and factory efficiency.
According to the KSB, the nation’s annual sugar demand currently stands at around 1.1 million metric tons per year.
Chesire affirmed that the sector’s medium‑term outlook is strong, with expanding miller capacity and improved farm productivity. He highlighted that Kenya is projected to meet domestic demand, achieve self‑sufficiency, and generate surpluses that boost regional export competitiveness.
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