By Ongaga Ongaga
After 24 years under the COMESA Sugar Safeguard, Kenya has officially stepped out of the protective regime, signalling a bold new chapter for its sugar industry.
The safeguard, which expired on 30th November 2025, was designed to stabilise and restructure the sector—and by all measures, it has delivered.
“This transition reflects strength, not vulnerability,” said the Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) in a statement.
“Our industry is stable, well-managed, and ready to compete.”
The exit comes amid a surge in production and diversification. Sugar output rose by 76%—from 472,773 metric tonnes in 2022 to 815,454 metric tonnes—thanks to improved farm productivity and factory efficiencies.
While national demand stands at 1.1 million metric tonnes, Kenya is narrowing the gap, with imports now used strategically to balance supply.
Beyond sugar, millers are tapping into ethanol, electricity from bagasse, and other by-products.
“We’re no longer just producing table sugar,” the Board noted.
“Sugarcane is now an industrial raw material.”
Structural reforms have reshaped the landscape. Former state-owned mills have been leased to private operators, unlocking investment and accountability.
Sugarcane acreage has expanded by 19.4%, buoyed by favourable rains and access to certified seed.
As Kenya exits the safeguard, it does so not with trepidation, but with purpose.
“We’re not just surviving—we’re transforming,” the Board affirmed.
“This is a confident step into a competitive future.”