KEPROBA and AFA-Coffee Directorate collaborate to boost Kenya’s coffee exports
In a strategic move to enhance Kenya’s coffee export capabilities, the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) and the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)-Coffee Directorate have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at strengthening the marketing efforts of Kenyan coffee in both emerging and established markets.
The partnership, announced today, is part of a broader initiative to roll out trade promotion activities designed to expand Kenya’s coffee presence globally. Both agencies are targeting a 25 percent annual growth in coffee exports as outlined in the Integrated National Export Development and Promotion Strategy (INEDPS).
Kenya’s coffee exports have faced challenges since 2016, including declining productivity attributed to shrinking coffee-growing areas, rising production costs, fluctuating coffee prices, and erratic weather patterns. Currently, 97 percent of the coffee produced in Kenya is exported as raw green beans, reflecting a heavy reliance on traditional markets and resulting in decreased total revenue.
From left AFA Director General, Dr. Bruno Linyiru, with Floice Mukabana, CEO of KEPROBA during the signing of MOU
Floice Mukabana, CEO of KEPROBA, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “This partnership aligns our goals with KEPROBA’s export promotion efforts to address challenges in capacity building, expanding Kenya’s export range, and enhancing market access. We aim to equip local coffee producers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in the global market,” she stated.
The Director General of AFA, Dr. Bruno Linyiru, highlighted the necessity of promoting both local and international coffee consumption. “We must encourage local consumption of coffee, similar to leading coffee-producing countries like Ethiopia and Colombia, where drinking coffee is integral to the culture. Coffee is a key product for Kenya,” he said.
Under the agreement, both agencies will work collaboratively with coffee industry stakeholders to organize joint marketing and communication initiatives. These will include expos, trade fairs, buyer-seller meetings, origin trips, and trade missions aimed at fostering market linkages for Kenyan producers and exporters.
Key collaboration areas will include market research and intelligence sharing to help producers develop effective export strategies, as well as capacity-building efforts to ensure coffee producers meet international market standards. Additionally, the agencies plan to create and promote a unified Kenyan coffee brand to enhance its recognition on the global stage.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward revitalizing Kenya’s coffee sector, promoting economic transformation, and bolstering the country’s contribution to national development through enhanced export trade.
