Licensed Coffee Brokers in Kenya — Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Complete List 2026
🏛️ Who Regulates Coffee Brokers in Kenya? — Licensed Coffee Brokers Kenya
Licensed Coffee Brokers Kenya — Under new marketing regulations implemented in 2023, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) is now regulated by Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA also licenses brokers, whose primary responsibility is coffee classification, preparation of sale catalogues, and presentation to scheduled coffee auctions. The Observatory of Economic Complexity
Under the recently signed Coffee Act — derived from the Coffee Bill (Senate Bill No. 10 of 2023) — certain financial market functions within the coffee trade fall under the jurisdiction of the CMA, which issues licences related to coffee exchanges and brokerage activities. The legislation also establishes a new Coffee Board of Kenya, shifting regulation away from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA). Kencaffee
When evaluating licensed coffee brokers kenya, quality certification and export documentation matter.
Important Distinction: The CMA licenses coffee brokers — entities that classify, prepare sale catalogues, and present coffee lots at the NCE auction. AFA Coffee Directorate licenses coffee exporters — entities that purchase and export coffee from Kenya. These are two separate licences covering two separate roles. Elisa Exporters operates as a licensed coffee exporter — the entity that buys from the auction or directly from cooperatives and exports to international buyers.
Many importers search for licensed coffee brokers kenya to secure consistent supply from verified exporters.
📋 Full List of CMA-Licensed Coffee Brokers in Kenya (2026)
There are currently 15 licensed coffee brokers operating at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange. The Observatory of Economic Complexity Here is the complete list based on the most current available data:
Understanding licensed coffee brokers kenya helps you compare offers and negotiate better terms.
| # | Coffee Broker | County Base | Licence Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alliance Berries Limited | Nairobi | Full Licence |
| 2 | Meru County Coffee Marketing Agency Ltd | Meru | Full Licence |
| 3 | Kipkelion Brokerage Company Ltd | Kericho | Full Licence |
| 4 | Murang’a County Coffee Dealers Ltd | Muranga | Full Licence |
| 5 | Mt. Elgon Coffee Marketing Agency | Bungoma | Full Licence |
| 6 | United Eastern Kenya Coffee Marketing Company Ltd | Eastern | Full Licence |
| 7 | Embu Coffee Farmers Marketing Agency Ltd | Embu | Full Licence |
| 8 | Kinya Coffee Marketing Agency Ltd | Meru | Full Licence |
| 9 | New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union PLC (New KPCU) | Nairobi | Full Licence |
| 10 | KCCE Marketing Agency Ltd | Nairobi | Full Licence |
| 11 | Bungoma Union Marketing Agency Ltd | Bungoma | Full Licence |
| 12 | Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Ltd | Kirinyaga | Full Licence |
| 13 | Meru South Coffee Marketing Company Ltd | Meru | Full Licence |
| 14 | Baringo Kawa Brokerage Company Ltd | Baringo | Full Licence |
| 15 | Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie Brokers Ltd | Nairobi | Conditional Licence |
📊 Broker Performance at Recent NCE Auctions (Sale 22 — 18 March 2026)
In the most recent auction data available, broker performance varied significantly — reflecting each broker’s cooperative base and the quality of lots they marketed. Business Radar
When evaluating licensed coffee brokers kenya, quality certification and export documentation matter.
| Broker | Bags Sold | Avg Price (USD/50kg bag) |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance Berries Ltd | 13,106 | USD 276.36 |
| Kirinyaga Slopes | 5,070 | USD 286.02 |
| New KPCU | 3,701 | USD 292.63 |
| KCCE Marketing | 3,148 | USD 311.24 ⭐ |
| Kipkelion | 2,151 | USD 265.02 |
| Minnesota | 1,332 | USD 280.11 |
| CEBBA | 1,005 | USD 261.90 |
| Kinya | 958 | USD 253.91 |
| Murang’a County | 834 | USD 267.10 |
| Mt. Elgon | 821 | USD 251.82 |
| Baringo Kawa | 177 | USD 304.35 ⭐ |
⭐ KCCE Marketing and Baringo Kawa achieved the highest average prices per bag — reflecting premium lot quality from their cooperative bases.
Many importers search for licensed coffee brokers kenya to secure consistent supply from verified exporters.
⚖️ Regulatory Framework: CMA vs Coffee Board of Kenya vs AFA
Under the new Coffee Act signed by President Ruto, the Coffee Board of Kenya will oversee licensing across the industry, maintain national registers of coffee dealers, collect market intelligence, and coordinate development strategies for the sector. The law also introduces a new funding mechanism through a 2.5% Coffee Development and Marketing Levy applied to the value of coffee exports and imports. Kencaffee
| Regulatory Body | Role | What They License |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Markets Authority (CMA) | Regulates NCE and coffee brokerage | Coffee brokers (auction participants) |
| Coffee Board of Kenya (new) | Oversees industry licensing & registers | Dealers, millers, roasters, cooperatives |
| AFA Coffee Directorate | Regulates coffee crop quality standards | Coffee exporters (purchasing & shipping) |
| KRA | Tax compliance on all exports | Tax registration & royalty collection |
⚠️ Critical Note: Coffee Brokers vs Coffee Exporters — Know the Difference
Many international buyers confuse coffee brokers with coffee exporters. They are completely different roles:
Coffee Broker (CMA Licensed): Classifies coffee lots, prepares auction sale catalogues, and presents cooperative coffee at the NCE Tuesday auction. A broker does NOT own the coffee and cannot export it. Brokers work on commission on behalf of cooperatives.
Coffee Exporter (AFA Licensed): Purchases coffee — either at the NCE auction from brokers or directly from cooperatives through the Second Window — and exports it to international buyers. The exporter manages the full supply chain from purchase through to delivery at the international buyer’s port.
Elisa Exporters is a licensed AFA Coffee Exporter — the entity that actually buys from the auction (through brokers) and directly from cooperatives, then manages the complete export to your roastery or warehouse worldwide.
🌍 How Elisa Exporters Works With CMA-Licensed Brokers
Elisa Exporters participates in the NCE weekly auction as a licensed buyer, working across all 15 CMA-licensed brokers to identify and purchase the best lots for our international clients. Here is how the relationship works:
Step 1 — Broker presents lots: CMA-licensed brokers such as Kirinyaga Slopes, KCCE, and Alliance Berries present cooperative lots at the weekly NCE auction with full grade, origin, and catalogue information.
Step 2 — Elisa Exporters cups and evaluates: Our team cups all available lots before auction day — evaluating which specific lots from which brokers meet our buyers’ quality specifications.
Step 3 — Elisa bids and wins: On Tuesday, Elisa Exporters bids competitively for target lots across multiple brokers — securing the best lots at optimal prices.
Step 4 — Elisa manages full export: After winning lots, Elisa Exporters manages every post-auction step — milling, AFA documentation, KRA clearance, freight booking, and international delivery.
This complete buyer-to-exporter service is what makes Elisa Exporters the most valuable partner for international buyers who want NCE-sourced Kenya coffee without the complexity of on-the-ground market navigation.
🏆 Why Choose Elisa Exporters Over Dealing Directly with Brokers
✅ Brokers cannot export — you still need a licensed exporter like Elisa Exporters regardless of which broker your coffee passes through at the NCE
✅ We cup across ALL 15 brokers — giving you access to the best lots from every cooperative origin in Kenya, not just one broker’s portfolio
✅ We offer direct cooperative sourcing too — bypassing brokers entirely through the Second Window for deeper traceability and farmer-direct pricing
✅ Full export management — AFA export permits, phytosanitary certificates, KRA clearance, freight, and documentation — all handled in-house
✅ Flexible MOQ — from 60 kg specialty samples to full 20-tonne container loads
✅ Transparent pricing — full FOB and CIF quotations with zero hidden charges
✅ Trusted by roasters worldwide — buyers in Europe, USA, Middle East, and Asia rely on Elisa Exporters for consistent, compliant Kenya coffee sourcing year-round
💬 WhatsApp Elisa Exporters: +254725310112 📧 Email: info@elisaexporters.co.ke
🔗 Related Pages from Elisa Exporters
→ Coffee Exporters in Kenya → Coffee Brokers in Nairobi → Coffee Trading Companies in Kenya → Kenya AA Coffee Exporters → Direct Trade Coffee Kenya → Find a Coffee Farmer Cooperative in Kenya → Reliable Coffee Exporters Kenya → List of Coffee Exporters in Kenya → Best Coffee Exporters in Kenya → Green Coffee Beans Wholesale Kenya
Broker licence information sourced from Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Kenya official announcements, Business Daily Africa, and USDA FAS Kenya Coffee Annual Report 2025. Licence statuses are subject to change — verify current status directly with CMA at cma.or.ke or contact Elisa Exporters for the most current market intelligence.
