President William Ruto’s administration, through the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), has published a gazette notice proposing the licensing of 10 companies to engage in coffee export activities.
In a gazette notice published on August 22, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) announced the proposed issuance of licenses under the Crops Act, No. 16 of 2023.
The decision will give the selected companies permission to export, roast, and package coffee operations previously limited to a select few.
The companies named include:
- Ptiolvic Enterprises Limited – Coffee Plaza Building, Nairobi.
- Vivid Commodities East Africa – Waiyaki House, Nairobi.
- Havie Africa Company Limited – Life Ministry Centre, Nairobi.
- Chania Chic Company Limited – Bubbles Restaurant, Thika.
- Logipi Waters Limited – Corner House, Nairobi.
- Full Circles Equities Limited – Westlands, Nairobi.
- Amira Kahawa Limited – Old Mombasa Road, Mombasa.
- Klar Company – South B, Nairobi.
- Elial Coffee Estates Limited – Milimani Road, Nairobi.
- Kianda International Limited – Ruiru, Kiambu County.
Seven of the companies proposed will be licensed to import, roast, and package coffee for export, while three, Klar Company, Elial Coffee Estates Limited, and Kianda International Limited will facilitate coffee exports through direct sales.
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The AFA has invited objections from the public within 14 days of the notice’s publication, requiring detailed submissions from concerned parties.
This move comes as part of the Ruto administration’s wider reforms in the coffee sector, targeting improved farmer earnings and the elimination of middlemen.
The government has prioritized agricultural exports as a key economic pillar, especially for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Kenya’s coffee industry.
The final decision on the issuance of licenses is expected by August 30, 2025.
Coffee Export in Kenya
Kenya’s coffee exports rose sharply in 2024, registering a 12% increase to hit 53,519 tonnes, up from 47,861 tonnes recorded the previous year.
The growth was largely attributed to expanded shipments to major international markets, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
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Export earnings also saw a notable rise, climbing to Ksh 38.4 billion (approximately US$296.8 million) in 2024, compared to US$251 million in 2023.
The bulk of the coffee exports were recorded during the second and third quarters of the year, with 15,903 tonnes and 17,017 tonnes exported, respectively.
Coffee continues to be a vital contributor to Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings, alongside tea and horticulture.
African Coffee Gaining Global Ground
Kenya’s export performance shows a wider trend across Africa. Ethiopia announced record-breaking coffee revenues, surpassing US$1 billion in just seven months of its 2024/25 fiscal year.
The country had initially targeted exports of 156,190 tonnes with projected earnings of US$805.6 million.
However, it exceeded expectations, shipping 223,046 tonnes and earning US$1.011 billion, 151% of the volume target and 127% of the revenue forecast.
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