NAIROBI, Kenya — Eleven companies have been earmarked for licences to export coffee from Kenya, marking another step in the government’s ongoing reforms to streamline the country’s coffee value chain and boost farmer earnings.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, November 21, 2025, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) announced that it intends to grant the licences pursuant to Sections 20(6), (7), and (8) of the Crops Act, subject to a mandatory public objection window.
“NOTICE is given that, pursuant to sections 20(6), (7), and (8) of the Crops Act, the Agriculture and Food Authority proposes to grant a license to the following applicants,” the notice reads.
Most of the companies on the list have applied for approval to export, import, and undertake value addition — including roasting and packaging — highlighting the Authority’s push to retain more value within the country instead of exporting raw beans.
Among the proposed licensees is Beams Agri Exporters Limited, located on Mugi Road in Nairobi, which has sought approval for both export and value addition activities. Another is Shashi Merchants Limited, operating from Grain Belt Godowns off Thika Road in Kiambu County, with similar licence categories.
AFA also listed firms in Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, and multiple Nairobi locations, signalling wider regional participation in the coffee business.
Below is the full list as captured in the gazette notice:
- Beams Agri Exporters Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nairobi County)
- Miyon Holdings Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Uasin Gishu County)
- Shashi Merchants Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Kiambu County)
- Adia Afrika Classics – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nairobi County)
- Geo-Linked Kenyan Coffee Company Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nairobi County)
- Hiview International Co. Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nairobi County)
- Haky Coffee Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nairobi County)
- Nyakach Horticulture Company Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nairobi County)
- Agmond Coffee Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nairobi County)
- Senzile Fresh Farm Limited – Coffee exports, imports, roasting & packaging (Nakuru County)
- Excellence in Motion Limited – Facilitating growers with direct sales (Uasin Gishu County)
The increased number of firms seeking value addition suggests growing local interest in processing Kenyan coffee before it reaches international markets — a move aligned with government reforms aimed at raising farmer income and promoting agro-processing.
AFA has invited any objections to the proposed grant of licences to be submitted within 14 days from the publication date.
Objections must be filed in writing and delivered to the Agriculture and Food Authority – Coffee Directorate at Coffee Plaza, Exchange Lane, off Haile Selassie Avenue, or mailed to P.O. Box 30566-0100, Nairobi.
To be admissible, objections must include:
- Name, address, and telephone number of the objector
- Clear grounds for the objection
- Signature of the objector
AFA said only applicants who have complied with the Crops Act (2013) and the Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations (2019), alongside other legal requirements, will be issued licences by December 5, 2025.
Coffee remains one of Kenya’s top foreign-exchange earners, but market volatility, cooperative mismanagement, and limited value addition have long undermined profitability for farmers.
Industry stakeholders say expanding the pool of licensed exporters — especially those engaged in value addition — could inject competition and help stabilise returns.
The Authority maintains that the licensing process is part of broader efforts to restore order, transparency, and efficiency in the coffee sector as the country seeks to reclaim its position in global specialty coffee markets.
