Wednesday, 4 November, 2026
Business Today Kenya, Ooro George
Kenya is becoming an increasingly attractive market for South African wine producers, with export earnings climbing 6% to US$8.3 million in the 2025/26 financial year, even as shipment volumes declined by 4% to 3.4 million litres.
The divergence between export value and volume points to an evolving trade relationship, where higher-value wine exports are becoming increasingly important to South Africa’s commercial interests in Kenya. For an industry increasingly competing on provenance, quality and consumer experience, Kenya presents an opportunity that extends beyond moving bottles off retail shelves.
That opportunity was on display in Nairobi from October 30 to November 1, 2026, when Wines of South Africa (WoSA), in partnership with Artcaffé Market, brought together 20 South African wine brands for a three-day consumer activation at Artcaffé Rhapsody Road. The experience combined guided tastings, educational masterclasses and direct engagement with wine representatives, giving consumers an opportunity to explore South Africa’s diverse wine portfolio while introducing producers to a market with growing interest in premium beverage experiences.
According to Wines of South Africa, the organisation has trained more than 3,000 Kenyans through physical introductory wine courses over the years. Its free online Level 1 and Level 2 programmes have also reached thousands of wine enthusiasts across Kenya and other African markets. The investment in wine education reflects a broader market-development strategy: cultivating informed consumers while equipping hospitality professionals and aspiring sommeliers with the knowledge to participate in the industry.
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