The Nairobi Coffee Exchange has launched a five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming coffee trading and protecting farmers from exploitation, with government backing for reforms across the sector.
Speaking on behalf of Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Administrative Secretary Amos Marimba said the government will support initiatives that improve price discovery, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure farmers earn a fair share of the final value.
“For too long, our farmers have carried the heaviest burden while earning the smallest share. This Strategic Plan recognises that sustainability begins with fair and competitive returns at the farm level,” he said.
NCE Chairman Kenneth Gitonga described the plan as transformational, aiming to make Kenyan coffee not just traded but treasured globally. The initiative will introduce digitised trading platforms, real-time market data, traceability systems from farm to cup, and climate-smart practices to attract youth and modernise the sector.
CEO Lisper Ndungu highlighted three core ambitions: Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence, Market Expansion and Global Positioning, and Stakeholder Value and Sustainability. She said the strategy is a shared commitment to farmers, cooperatives, buyers, and future generations.
The plan aims to position Kenya as a world-class coffee hub while ensuring farmers receive fair, consistent returns and the cooperative value chain thrives.
