Wines of South Africa Expands Kenya's Reach with Nairobi Testing Showcase
- Wines of South Africa (WoSA) cemented its presence in Kenya with Nairobi testing to boost trade and cultural ties with the East African economic powerhouse
- According to reports, Kenya’s wine market shifts to premium and is expected to hit KSh 193.8 billion by 2030
- WoSA showcased top South African wines and launched free certification courses to grow wine culture
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Wines of South Africa (WoSA) has expanded its footprint in Kenya with a testing showcase in the country's capital, Nairobi.
Source: UGC
The company said the move is part of its commitment to strengthening the wine trade and cultural exchange between South Africa and East Africa’s leading economy.
This followed a tasting showcase in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) this week.
According to WoSA Africa Market Manager Matome Mbatha, Kenya has transformed over the past decade from a basic wine-consuming nation into a fast-maturing, premium wine market.
“We have been doing groundwork here for over 10 years. Kenya is not just part of our strategy, but also our strategic focus,” said Mbatha in a press statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.
What Wines of South Africa showcased in Nairobi
There were immersive masterclasses, varietal tasting pods, and exclusive paired wine dinners at the testing event.
Premium South African wines were featured across Kenya’s expanding retail landscape.
Mbatha acknowledged Kenyan consumers' investment in premium wines with knowledge and taste.
“Kenyans are now appreciating high-end wine and drinking it with confidence. We have seen growth not just in volumes, but in value, with a notable shift from entry-level to premium offerings,” he said.
What's the value of Kenya's wine market
According to StrategyHelix and other analysts, Kenya’s wine market is expected to grow from $950 million (KSh 122.7 billion) in 2024 to more than $1.5 billion (KSh 193.8 billion) by 2030, a growth rate of 8.5% per year.
Consumption volume in the country has remained steady, around 8,000 metric tons annually since 2019.
Educational outreach also played a key role in this evolution, with Kenya boasting robust wine training programs that target both hospitality professionals and individual enthusiasts.
The Nairobi tasting served as a platform to spotlight the growing availability of South African wines in Kenya, with distribution through key partners such as Domaine KE, Wine Router, Under the Influence, The Wine Shop, and Wow Bev.
The organisation offers free online Level 1 and Level 2 wine certification courses via its website, tools designed to build grassroots expertise among hospitality professionals and wine-loving consumers alike.
“We want people to approach wine with appreciation, understanding, and responsibility. This is about positioning wine not just as a product, but as a lifestyle that deserves respect and knowledge,” said Mbatha.
Looking ahead, WoSA plans to replicate its educational and promotional activations in other African markets, using Kenya’s success story as a blueprint.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
