Coffee licences in Kenya
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Anyone who pulps, mills, warehouses, buys, sells, roasts, transports, imports or exports coffee in Kenya needs a valid licence, certificate or permit. Licences come from two licensing authorities: the Coffee Directorate of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and the county government where the business operates. Coffee brokers and the coffee exchange are licensed by the Capital Markets Authority. Growing coffee does not need a licence, but every grower must be registered with their county, and registration is free.
This guide is based on the Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019 as amended to 2022. Fees and procedures can change, so confirm with the licensing authority before you apply.
Licences issued by county governments
| Licence / certificate | What it allows | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grower registration | Every grower, cooperative society, association, estate and nursery operator registers with its county. The county issues the grower code and distinguishing mark. | Free |
| Coffee nursery certificate | Operate a coffee nursery (after a site inspection). | KSh 1,000 |
| Pulping station licence | Operate a pulping station (primary processing) and hull own parchment or buni. | KSh 1,000 |
| Grower miller licence | Pulp, mill, market or roast your own (or your members’) coffee. | KSh 10,000 |
| Commercial coffee miller licence | Mill coffee as a business. Miller-marketers also need AFA’s licence, and AFA must get the county’s approval first. | US$500–2,000 by tonnes of clean coffee milled (under 3,000 t: US$500; 3,000–4,999 t: US$750; 5,000–9,999 t: US$1,000; over 10,000 t: US$2,000) |
| Coffee roaster licence | Buy clean coffee, roast or grind and package it for local sale. | KSh 2,500–10,000 by bags roasted (under 100 bags: KSh 2,500; 100–499: KSh 5,000; 500–999: KSh 7,500; over 1,000: KSh 10,000) |
| Warehouse licence | Operate a premises for storing coffee. It must meet KEBS standards and be certified by a public health officer. | US$500–1,000 by capacity |
| Movement permit (parchment or buni) | Move parchment or buni from the county of origin. | Free |
| Movement permit (clean coffee, from mill to warehouse) | Move clean coffee from the mill. | KSh 100 per leaf |
Licences issued by AFA (Coffee Directorate)
| Licence / permit | What it allows | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee buyer’s licence | Buy clean coffee at the auction for export, local sale or value addition (incorporated companies only). | US$100–500 by annual purchases (under 1,000 bags: US$100; 1,000–4,999: US$250; 5,000–9,999: US$350; over 10,000: US$500) |
| Miller-marketer licence | Mill and market growers’ coffee as appointed by the grower. Commission is capped at 1% of sales value. | See commercial miller fees |
| Grower marketer licence | A grower marketing its own clean coffee. | Not specified in the Regulations |
| Warehouseman’s licence | Offer warehouse management services (needs 3 years’ experience). | KSh 2,000 |
| Independent cupping laboratory | Offer coffee liquoring (quality analysis) and training for a fee. | KSh 20,000 |
| Liquorer’s practising licence | Work as a certified coffee liquorer (cupper). | KSh 2,000 |
| Auction organiser licence | Organise coffee auctions. | Not specified in the Regulations |
| Coffee import permit | Import processed (value-added) coffee. | KSh 10,000 |
| Movement permit (clean coffee bought at auction, export or import) | Move purchased clean coffee or ship it. | US$1 per leaf |
A late application costs an extra 10% of the licence fee. Certification schemes operating in Kenya must also register with AFA.
Licensed by the Capital Markets Authority
- Coffee exchange: must be a demutualised company with enough capital for three years of operations.
- Coffee broker: a company limited by shares, with a chief executive who has at least five years’ experience in coffee, commodities or securities. The applicant needs a letter from the exchange confirming it would be admitted. Apply to the Capital Markets Authority.
Typical requirements
Requirements depend on the licence. Most applications need:
- the application form and a signed self-declaration (of debts, conflicts and litigation in the coffee industry, for millers, roasters and importers)
- national ID or passport details of the applicant, directors or officials
- for companies and societies: a certificate of incorporation or registration
- a KRA tax compliance certificate, and where relevant NEMA, occupational safety and health, and public health certificates
- for millers: comprehensive insurance, a licensed liquorer or cupping lab, and an “Authority to Erect” (or lease) for the mill
- for pulping stations: proof of land ownership or a lease of at least six years, a reliable water source, and a letter of no objection from the mother society where applicable
- for buyers: proof of engaging a licensed liquorer and access to a cupping lab, and a clearance letter from the exchange when renewing
How licensing works
- Apply to AFA or the county government on the prescribed form and pay the fee.
- Inspection and evaluation. The licensing authority may inspect your premises.
- Public notice. For new licences (other than growers’ licences and certificates), the authority publishes a notice in the Kenya Gazette at least 30 days before granting the licence. Objections can be lodged within 14 days.
- Decision. If your application is rejected, you must be told why within 14 days. You can fix the issues and apply again.
- Appeal. If it is rejected again, you can appeal within 30 days: to the Cabinet Secretary for AFA licences, or to the County Executive Committee (through the County Secretary) for county licences. After that, you can go to court within 30 days.
- Keep it up. Licences are not transferable. Holders must display them on request, file monthly returns, follow the Kenya Coffee Industry Standards and Code of Practice, and renew every year.
Renewal dates: the amended Regulations set the licence year as 1 October to 30 September and ask for renewals by 1 September. Another provision still refers to expiry on 30 June with renewal by 1 June. Check the current deadline with your licensing authority.
Who to contact
- AFA Coffee Directorate: afa.go.ke
- Your county government: the county department responsible for agriculture or cooperatives
- Capital Markets Authority (exchange and brokers): cma.or.ke
Find licensed businesses in the MyKahawa directory: exporters and dealers, millers, marketing agents and warehousemen.
Source: Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019 (Legal Notice 102 of 2019), regulations 7–16 and Second Schedule, and Capital Markets (Coffee Exchange) Regulations, 2020, as revised to 31 December 2022. This is a summary, not legal advice.