Nairobi Coffee Exchange to transition to shareholding company
Kenya plans to convert the Nairobi Coffee Exchange into a shareholding company as part of reforms aimed at strengthening governance, transparency and investor confidence in the coffee sector.
KENYA – Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) is set to undergo a major structural reform after the government of Kenya announced plans to convert the exchange from a private company to a shareholding company.
The transition is intended to align the exchange’s operations with regulatory requirements and strengthen governance within the country’s coffee trading system.
On March 11, 2026, Wycliffe Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, met with the Nairobi Coffee Exchange Transition Committee to review its final recommendations regarding the restructuring process.
During the meeting, the committee presented a comprehensive report outlining the steps required to facilitate a smooth transition of the exchange to a shareholding structure.
Oparanya commended the committee for its work and highlighted the importance of strengthening transparency and accountability across Kenya’s coffee sector.
“I held a meeting with the Nairobi Coffee Exchange Transition Committee, which presented its final report on the transition of the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) from a private company to a company limited by shares,” Oparanya said.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the restructuring forms part of a broader strategy to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of Kenya’s coffee industry while ensuring farmers and other stakeholders benefit from stronger regulatory oversight.
“The transition is a key step in aligning the operations and governance of the Exchange with the requirements of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). It also strengthens transparency, accountability, and investor confidence within Kenya’s coffee trading framework,” Oparanya stated.
The Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development reiterated its commitment to reforms designed to enhance efficiency and competitiveness within the sector.
Oparanya also said the new shareholding structure is expected to attract additional investors while strengthening Kenya’s position as a leading coffee-producing country in the region.
Earlier this year, Nairobi Coffee Exchange launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which focuses on three key priorities: digital transformation and operational excellence, market expansion and global positioning, and stakeholder value and sustainability.
Kenneth Gitonga, chairman of the exchange, described the strategy as a significant transformation rather than a gradual improvement.
“The Strategic Plan 2026–2030 is a transformational system renewal, as opposed to an incremental or small-scale change,” Gitonga said.
He added that the introduction of digital trading systems and real-time market data will improve transparency and traceability within Kenya’s coffee trading ecosystem while strengthening the overall market framework.
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