Rwanda's Gisovu Tea wins top award at African Tea Convention #rwanda #RwOT

The award, presented at the September 16-18 event, recognises Gisovu's quality across different grades of CTC tea, a processing method in which tea leaves are crushed, torn and curled into small particles to produce a strong, brisk brew.

Gisovu Tea Company, part of Silverback Tea Company, is based in Karongi District in Rwanda's Western Province. It produces CTC and specialty teas, including Gisovu White Tea.

The company attributed the quality of its tea to Rwanda's growing conditions and the work of smallholder farmers and its tea workforce.

A view of Gisovu Tea Company plantations.

The latest recognition adds to Gisovu's growing list of awards. It was named Best Tea in Africa at the 6th African Tea Convention in Rwanda in 2024 and was also recognised as Factory of the Year by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) that year.

Its other awards include Best PF1 in Rwanda and the 2025 Global Tea Championship Origin Award for Rwanda.

Gisovu General Manager Allan Mwangi said the continental award validates the company's focus on quality and consistency.

'This milestone not only elevates our brand globally but directly transforms the livelihoods of our dedicated farmers and the local community by securing premium returns for their hard work,' he said.

The Best CTC Tea award Gisovu Tea Company Ltd won in recognition of its outstanding quality and excellence across the CTC tea grades, at the 7th African Tea Convention & Exhibition.

Gisovu's plantations sit at an altitude of about 2,500 metres near Nyungwe National Park. The estate has 394 hectares under production, while another 836 hectares are supplied by about 3,800 smallholder farmers.

Smallholders contribute about 70 per cent of the company's annual production of 2,500 tonnes.

Nzeki Samuel Munyao, CEO of Silverback Tea Company, credited the award to the work of farmers and the company's manufacturing operations.

Tea is among Rwanda's leading agricultural exports, generating over $553 million in export revenue between 2020 and 2026 on cumulative shipments exceeding 224,000 metric tons, according to figures from NAEB.

NAEB projects annual earnings to reach $175 million by 2029 through targeted smallholder expansion and field infilling.

David Mwashumbe (centre), Head of Tea Tasting at Silverback Tea and Sorwathe Ltd, holds the Best CTC Tea award won by Gisovu Tea Company at the 7th African Tea Convention in Nairobi. He is flanked by Mombasa auction brokers Michael Chemweno (left) and Boniface Njoroge (right).

Different tea award winners pose for a group photo at the 7th African Tea Convention & Exhibition in Nairobi, Kenya.

Gisovu Tea Company's tea tasting room with a display of award-winning CTC grades.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwandas-gisovu-tea-wins-top-award-at-african-tea-convention/