Kenyan coffee is set to gain greater visibility in the Chinese market following the launch of the Dormans Coffee Centre at the Kenya Cultural Centre, an initiative aimed at promoting local coffee and other value-added agricultural products.
The centre, managed by PB Runner, is a partnership between Dormans Coffee and PB Runner intended to strengthen commercial ties between Kenya and China while opening up opportunities for investment in coffee processing, agricultural value addition and distribution.
Kenya Investment Authority (InvestKenya) Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa attended the launch alongside Kenya’s Ambassador to China Willy Bett and Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion Hassan Abubakar.
Other officials present included Principal Secretary for Public Investments Cyril Odede, Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce Chairman William Zhou, InvestKenya Board Member Khadija Mustafa and the Director General of the Kenya Development Corporation.
According to InvestKenya, the initiative seeks to provide Kenyan coffee producers and other agricultural businesses with a platform to access the Chinese market and build commercial partnerships.
The centre is also expected to facilitate engagement between Kenyan and Chinese businesses seeking opportunities across the coffee value chain, including processing, packaging, value addition and distribution.
The launch comes amid efforts to expand the international market for Kenyan agricultural products by promoting value addition and attracting investment into sectors with export potential.
Beyond showcasing Kenyan coffee, the Kenya Cultural Centre is expected to serve as a platform for presenting other Kenyan products to Chinese consumers and businesses, while strengthening commercial connections between the two countries.
InvestKenya said the initiative would support efforts to expand market access and attract investment into Kenya’s agricultural value chains.
The success of the initiative will depend on its ability to translate product promotion and business engagements into sustained demand for Kenyan coffee, stronger export channels and increased investment in local processing and distribution.
