Kenya launches coffee hub convention  

KENYA – Kenya has launched a new origin-based coffee trade convention known as the Kenya Coffee Hub, designed to connect international buyers directly with local farmers in a move expected to boost export earnings and improve value retention within the supply chain. 

The initiative seeks to reposition Kenya as a direct trading destination for premium coffee buyers by shifting negotiations and buyer engagement from foreign capitals back to the country of origin.  

Organizers say the convention will allow international buyers to interact directly with farmers and experience coffee production at source. 

The approach is expected to improve market access, strengthen transparency in pricing, and enhance Kenya’s position in the global specialty coffee market. 

Speaking during the launch, stakeholder Salome Bisau said the initiative would help increase visibility for farmers, particularly women, in global coffee trade. 

“Women do a lot of groundwork, but when it comes to the actual representation in selling places, it is usually men,” Bisau said. 

“It is not a bad thing, but women require more representation.” 

Kenya Coffee Hub Co-founder Joshua Tiampati said the convention aligns with ongoing reforms in the coffee sector aimed at addressing information gaps that have long limited export opportunities for farmers. 

“The coffee sector has tariffs that are not really written on paper,” Tiampati said. He added that lack of education and awareness remains a major gap in the sector. 

“Many people think that the reason why they are not exporting coffee out of the country is because that is reserved for cartels. But in reality, there are certain standards and measures that have been put in place by foreign markets to regulate the kind of coffee they take in.” 

According to organizers, the initiative will also improve understanding of export requirements and market readiness among farmers while attracting more international buyers directly to Kenya. 

Data from the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) shows that the country earned US$297 million from coffee exports to 59 countries in 2025, highlighting the crop’s continued importance as a key foreign exchange earner. 

KNCCI President Erick Rutto said Kenya has historically lacked structured origin-based trade conventions despite its strong global reputation for high-quality coffee. 

“International buyers are willing to pay a premium of up to 30 to 50 per cent when they experience the quality of coffee at origin rather than from a shipped sample,” Rutto said. 

Industry stakeholders believe the Kenya Coffee Hub could strengthen direct trade relationships, enhance competitiveness, and ultimately increase earnings for farmers through improved market access and pricing transparency. 

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