Coffee law in Kenya (Coffee Act 2026) and the coffee auction
Coffee Board of Kenya / Nairobi Coffee Exchange · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Coffee is now governed by the Coffee Act, 2026 (in force since 27 March 2026), which set up the Coffee Board of Kenya and took coffee out of the Crops Act. Growers register free with their county, then sell through a licensed broker at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange auction or by direct sale, and auction money must reach the cooperative or estate within 14 days. Licences are split three ways: the Coffee Board (buyers, importers, agents, warehouse operators, cupping labs, trading), county governments (pulping stations, growers' mills, roasters, warehouses, movement permits) and the Capital Markets Authority (brokers and exchanges). All expire on 30 June.
- How long
- Auction proceeds: paid to the grower's account within 14 days
- Where
- Your county government (registration, pulping station, growers' mill, roaster and warehouse licences, movement permits); the Coffee Board of Kenya, Nairobi (buyer, importer, agent, warehouse operator, cupping lab, liquorer and trading licences); the Capital Markets Authority (broker and exchange licences); the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, Wakulima House, Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi (auctions)
Steps
- Register with the county government where you are based. A grower who belongs to a cooperative registered in the same county doesn't need to register separately.
- Running a pulping station, growers' mill, roaster, warehouse or commercial mill? Get a licence from your county government first.
- Sell your clean coffee by auction at an exchange (through a broker you appoint), by direct sale, or at an international exchange.
- For a direct sale, first send a sample of up to 250 grams to an exchange for a quality check and price discovery.
- Auction money goes into the central settlement system and must be paid to the cooperative's or estate's account within 14 days.
- Want to be a coffee buyer, importer, agent, warehouse operator, liquorer or run a cupping lab? You need a licence, permit or registration from the Coffee Board of Kenya. The Board also issues the coffee trading licence and export movement permits.
- Coffee brokers and coffee exchanges are licensed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), not the Coffee Board.
- Running a coffee nursery? Coffee nursery certificates come from the Coffee Research and Training Institute.
- Apply to the right body on the prescribed form with the prescribed fee. It must decide within the time its law sets, and no later than 14 days, and give reasons if it says no.
Watch out
- Brokers and agents are not allowed to receive your coffee money for you. If one asks to, say no.
- County registration is free: the county can't charge you a fee to register.
- Coffee licences, permits and registrations from AFA that were still valid on 27 March 2026 carry on under the new Act. You don't need to start again.
- Every coffee licence, certificate and permit expires on 30 June each year. Apply to renew by 1 June, or pay a late fee.
- Licences can't be transferred. A new owner or operator needs their own.
- The Act is inconsistent on commercial millers: section 25 says the county licenses them, but the Second Schedule lists the commercial miller's licence under the Coffee Board. Check with both before you start.
- Refused, or licence cancelled? You can apply to the Dispute Resolution Committee set up under the Act.
Who this covers
- Coffee growers, nursery operators, millers, roasters, cooperative societies, coffee associations and estates.
- Only licensed brokers, dealers and export buyers trade at the auction. Farmers and cooperatives are represented by licensed brokers.
Official sources (3)
- Coffee Act (Act No. 8 of 2026) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions nairobicoffeeexchange.co.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Legislation, Licensing & Trading Rules nairobicoffeeexchange.co.ke · read 4 Oct 2026