Banking & Finance
Tehmeena Manji’s Rise in Kenya’s Tea Industry
Tehmeena Manji’s journey with Muthaiga Tea Company is a powerful testament to how passion, education, and perseverance can make a meaningful impact on Kenya’s tea industry. Her dedication to quality and sustainability establishes a benchmark for others, inspiring the next wave of entrepreneurs in the nation. Through her innovative approaches, Tehmeena is not only influencing the future of tea in Kenya but also ensuring that the legacy of this essential industry continues to flourish.
Tehmeena Manji, founder of Muthaiga Tea Company, is redefining Kenya’s tea industry with sustainability, innovation, and premium global blends.
Tehmeena Manji, founder and CEO of Muthaiga Tea Company, is transforming Kenya’s tea industry through sustainable practices and world-class blends. Born in Nairobi in 1989, her fascination with tea started early—eventually blossoming into a full-fledged business that now supplies both local and global markets.
Tehmeena’s academic foundation was built at St. Mary’s School in Nairobi, where her interest in culinary arts and agriculture flourished. She pursued a Food Science and Nutrition degree at the University of Nairobi, graduating in 2011. Her scientific background equipped her with a deep understanding of quality control and food production—skills she later used to refine her tea brand.
In 2017, with an initial investment of KSh 1 million (~$10,000), Tehmeena launched Muthaiga Tea Company. She partnered with over 100 smallholder farmers in Kericho, one of Kenya’s most fertile tea-growing regions, and prioritized sustainable farming and ethical sourcing.
By 2023, the company had grown to report an annual revenue of KSh 50 million (~$450,000) and supported a full-time staff of 25.
To stand out in the crowded tea market, Tehmeena trained as a tea sommelier in Sri Lanka in 2018. This expertise allowed her to develop unique blends like the flagship Muthaiga Classic, which became popular among tea connoisseurs for its rich flavor and quality.
By 2020, her portfolio expanded to include flavored and herbal teas, packaged in stylish, eco-conscious containers that resonated with high-end retailers and eco-minded consumers.
In 2021, Muthaiga Tea Company won “Best New Tea Brand” at the Kenya National Tea Awards. The accolade propelled the company into international markets, with exports reaching Europe and North America.
“We wanted to show the world that Kenyan tea can compete on a premium global stage,” said Tehmeena in a 2022 interview.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and posed a major challenge for sourcing raw tea. In response, Tehmeena pivoted quickly—launching an e-commerce platform for direct-to-consumer sales. This strategy paid off, doubling online sales by 2022 and boosting international customer engagement.
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Tehmeena attributes her success to resilience, passion, and adaptability.
“It’s the ability to bounce back from challenges that defines success,” she says.
She cites Prof. Wangari Maathai as a major influence for her dedication to sustainable development.
Kenya is the third-largest tea producer globally, after China and India, with tea exports generating KSh 140 billion (~$1.2 billion) in 2022. The sector supports over 600,000 smallholder farmers and remains one of the country’s top foreign exchange earners.
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As of 2023, Tehmeena is focused on scaling up exports, introducing consumer tea workshops, and advocating for fair farmer wages. Muthaiga Tea Company continues to serve as a model of sustainability, innovation, and community impact.
“I’m proud that our tea tells a story—one of heritage, ethics, and quality,” says Tehmeena.
Tehmeena Manji, Muthaiga Tea Company, Kenyan tea exports, sustainable tea farming, women in agribusiness