From January 18 to 22, SIGEP World 2025 in Rimini provided an exceptional showcase for Kenyan coffee and the producers involved in the ARABIKA project, an initiative that has been working to transform the Kenyan coffee sector since 2021.
Kenya is one of Africa’s most renowned countries for the production of high-quality Arabica coffee, known for its complex aromatic profile and pronounced fruity acidity. Coffee cultivation in Kenya has a long history: introduced in the 19th century, it spread across various regions thanks to a combination of favourable climatic conditions and artisan cultivation techniques. Today, production is largely carried out by small-scale farmers, who handpick the cherries and follow traditional processing methods.
However, despite the high quality of their coffee, many small producers struggle to obtain a fair price for their crops. Most of the harvest is sold through brokers or local auctions, which reduces profit margins for cooperatives and makes their businesses economically unsustainable.
To address these challenges, the ARABIKA initiative was launched in 2021, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – Nairobi Office and implemented in collaboration with CEFA – Il Seme della Solidarietà, AVSI Kenya, and E4Impact Foundation. The initiative involves approximately 30,000 small-scale producers across seven Kenyan counties, organized into 21 agricultural cooperatives, and sets ambitious goals for the sector’s growth.
Among the key objectives of the project:
- Enhancing coffee production and processing, introducing sustainable farming practices to address climate change.
- Implementing a comprehensive traceability system, ensuring transparency along the supply chain for consumers.
- Strengthening the economic resilience of producers, promoting direct market access and increasing the value-added of their coffee.
- Fostering the inclusion of women and youth in the coffee value chain, supporting equitable and sustainable employment.
Through these actions, ARABIKA not only supports smallholder farmers but also contributes to the overall growth of the Kenyan coffee sector, creating new economic opportunities and promoting more sustainable practices.
SIGEP World 2025: A Global Platform for Quality Coffee
As part of the project, E4Impact is in charge of helping cooperatives establish direct contacts with companies that purchase coffee in Italy and around the world. Among the initiatives activated for this purpose, participation in international exhibitions is important. Hence the decision to have 7 of the 21 cooperatives taking part in the SIGEP World 2025, one of the most important international fairs dedicated to the world of ice cream, pastry, artisanal baking and coffee. Every year, the event attracts thousands of industry players from around the world, offering a unique stage for innovation and networking.
Inside the AFRICA booth, organized by ICE-Italian Trade Agency, 5 coffee producing countries were present: Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast. The exhibition space was a point of reference for coffee lovers and professionals in the sector, that took the chance to taste the quality and flavor of arabika coffee.
The feedback for the ARABIKA coffee was very positive, with more than 200 registered visitors, around 600 coffees served out of a total of 1,000 prepared at the booth, distribution of samples and collection of dozens of business contacts to start potential collaborations.
To demonstrate the excellence of Kenyan coffee and overcome some preconceptions of the Italian market, tastings were offered with different extraction methods, including espresso, mocha, Neapolitan and French press. Although Kenyan arabica coffee is generally considered unsuitable for espresso, the results were surprising and its rich and complex taste won over most people who tried it.
Looking Ahead: New Milestones for Kenyan Coffee
The experience at SIGEP World 2025 demonstrated that Kenyan coffee has all it takes to conquer the Italian market. Taking part in sector fairs like this represents a precious opportunity to build direct and virtuous commercial relationships, increasing the visibility of producers and guaranteeing them growing and sustainable growth and impact.
In the coming months, ARABIKA will continue its work with a presence at several trade fairs in Africa between February and March 2025, further strengthening the links between global producers and buyers.
Thanks to the synergy between international cooperation, civil society and businesses, the ARABIKA project is contributing to a concrete and lasting change in Kenya’s coffee sector, and E4Impact Foundation is proud to be part of this.