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Kenya Charts a New Path for Inclusive and Sustainable Coffee at High-Level Forum
Nairobi, June 19, 2025— Kenya’s journey toward revitalizing its coffee sector took a bold step forward today at the Journey to Inclusive and Sustainable Kenyan Coffee forum held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. The event, convened by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), brought together over 100 key stakeholders from across the coffee value chain.
Kenya’s rich volcanic soils and high altitudes have long produced some of the world’s most aromatic coffee beans. But behind the fragrance of freshly brewed Kenyan coffee lies a sector facing formidable challenges—from climate change and limited access to finance to outdated infrastructure and market volatility.
Coffee remains a vital agricultural commodity in Kenya, accounting for nearly 30% of the sector's labour force. However, its economic viability has waned in recent decades due to rising input costs, fluctuating global markets, regulatory bottlenecks, and unequal access to information. These challenges, combined with the historical marginalization of women and youth, have contributed to reduced engagement and high rural unemployment in coffee-growing regions.
Despite the challenges, stakeholders expressed optimism about the potential of the sector to drive sustainable livelihoods, empower youth and women, and stimulate innovation and investment. The event served as a platform to showcase a comprehensive analysis of the coffee value chain conducted under the Joint Programme by UNIDO, FAO, and UNCDF. The findings outlined key opportunities for inclusive growth and gender-sensitive strategies to transform the industry.
Speaking at the event, UNIDO representative reiterated that the forum was not just about coffee. But about equity, empowerment, and innovation,adding that coffe forum aim is to bring together farmers, cooperatives, government agencies, financiers, and exporters, to build a unified ecosystem for change.
On the other hand, Kenya’s coffee-growing regions are particularly vulnerable to climate change, with shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures affecting productivity. FAO is leading efforts to integrate climate risk assessments into coffee sector planning, while promoting low-emission practices and ecosystem restoration.
By promoting sustainable land use and water conservation, FAO is also ensuring that coffee production does not come at the expense of the environment. This dual focus on productivity and sustainability is essential for the long-term viability of Kenya’s coffee sector.
In addition, the organization work in Kenya is closely aligned with the country’s development priorities, including the Kenya Vision 2030 blueprint and the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy. At the same time, these efforts contribute directly to achieving several SDGs—particularly those related to poverty reduction (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), decent work (SDG 8), and climate action (SDG 13).
Through engaging exhibitions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking opportunities, participants explored pathways to enhance value addition, improve access to finance, and foster collaboration across the supply chain. Women- and youth-led enterprises were prominently featured, highlighting the need for targeted support and inclusion in coffee-related businesses.
Key thematic areas discussed included sustainable farming practices, market access, digital innovations, and investment-ready models that can attract public and private sector backing. Organizers emphasized that unlocking Kenya’s coffee potential will require coordinated action, policy support, and inclusive business models.
The forum closed with a call for sustained collaboration among stakeholders, with UNIDO and partners reaffirming their commitment to supporting Kenya’s coffee renaissance. The event not only celebrated the country's rich coffee heritage but also laid a foundation for its future as a sustainable and inclusive global coffee leader.
Authored by,
Yassin Ali