Rwanda will this year host the second International Africa tea convention, a gathering that attracts about 600 delegates. The convention is scheduled to run from August 28 to 30, in Kigali.Under the theme ‘African Tea, Refreshing the World; Driving the African Economy’, the convention will attract tea producers, exporters, traders and development partners.The 2nd Africa Tea Convention and exhibition, will bring together members of the East African Tea Trade Association mainly tea producers, brokers, tea packers, and warehousemen from East and Central Africa, tea traders (importers) from tea importing countries, scholars, as well as investors in the sector, according to a statement from NAEB.Organised by East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) in collaboration with NAEB, the International Africa Tea Convention and Exhibition is a platform and opportunity for stakeholders in tea industry to showcase Africa as a global player in the tea industry and other sectors, such as trade logistics, financing, insurance.The exhibition is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to organisations. It will provide an opportunity for exhibitors to introduce new products and services to a global audience thus broadening participant’s customer base, the statement said."Participants in the convention are expected to use the forum to share their experience with different experts in technology as well as leadership skills expected to be freely shared by international experts,” it added.The three-day event is an opportunity for delegates to visit different parts of the country, including tea plantations and tea factories across the country, as well as promote Rwanda tourism.The first Africa tea convention took place in Mombasa in 2011 with 600 delegates in attendance.Twenty-nine countries were represented with 34 companies participating in the exhibition. In the previous tea convention, two factories from Rwanda- Gisovu and Kitabi- received first and third prizes, respectively, for the best quality tea in the cupping competitions that were held.Rwanda was selected to host this year’s convention because of its notable promotion of the tea industry, the quality and quantity presented especially at Mombasa auction.