Sorwathe, part of Luxmi Tea Estates, received the award for its Black Orthodox OP1 produced at Rukeri Estate in Kinihira Sector, Rulindo District. The company also received the competition’s Sustainability Award.
The recognition, announced on September 25, adds to a growing list of international awards for Rwandan tea producers. Days earlier, Gisovu Tea Company, another member of the Silverback Tea group, was named Best CTC Tea and Overall Winner at the 7th African Tea Convention and Exhibition in Nairobi.
The two awards come as Rwanda’s tea producers continue to gain recognition in international competitions, with Rukeri orthodox tea also named Best OP Tea in Africa at the Africa Coffee & Tea Expo in Kigali earlier this year.
Sorwathe Chairman Emery Rubagenga said the awards recognise the work of farmers and factory teams behind the company’s tea.
“These awards recognise the care that goes into Sorwathé’s tea, from the farmers who grow it to the teams who bring it to market. Winning for both quality and sustainability is especially meaningful to us: the two go hand in hand,” he said.
In 2025, Sorwathe’s Black Orthodox OP1 was named Overall Winner and received a Gold Medal across tea-producing countries at the same competition, while its Green OP won a Silver Medal. Rukeri Estate teas also took first and second place for Rwanda in 2023.
NAEB CEO Claude Bizimana said the recognition reflects progress across Rwanda’s tea industry.
“As a regulator, we see this achievement not only as a recognition of Sorwathe Ltd, but as an important milestone for the transformation of Rwanda’s tea industry,” he said.
Sorwathe works with more than 9,000 smallholder farmers organised through ASSOPTHE and Hillside Organic Tea Cooperative, providing training, supervision and access to fertiliser.
Silverback Tea CEO Nzeki Samuel Munyao said the award also highlights the contribution of farmers supplying the factory.
“This recognition belongs to smallholder farmers of ASSOPTHE and HOTCOOP who supply the bulk of our leaf, our pluckers, our factory team,” he said.
Founded in 1975, Sorwathe is Rwanda’s oldest private tea factory. It produces about 4.5 million kilogrammes of made tea annually, with around 96 per cent exported.
The company was acquired by India’s Luxmi Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd. in 2024 and operates within the Silverback Tea group alongside Gisovu, Pfunda and Rugabano.
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.
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