IWCA Kenya Creates Space for Women-Led Dialogue and Action in Coffee

IWCA Global is proud to highlight recent work by IWCA Kenya (AWICI), one of the partners in the Caffè Corretto (Right Coffee) Project, led by CELIM and supported by a strong network of local and international collaborators.

Last week, AWICI joined fellow project partners including KCP (Sauti Ya Kahawa) and Caritas Nairobi at Café Amka for a women-only gathering designed to foster open dialogue, connection, and shared learning. The event created a safe and welcoming space for women across the coffee value chain to speak candidly about their experiences and aspirations within Kenya’s coffee sector.

Discussions focused on several critical realities facing the industry today, including the ongoing challenge of connecting farmers directly to markets, the untapped potential of local value addition, and opportunities to strengthen domestic coffee consumption. Throughout the conversation, one theme remained clear: women and youth are not only participants in the coffee value chain, but leaders shaping its future.

From cultivation and processing to marketing and brewing, participants shared insights on how women and young people are driving innovation, strengthening community resilience, and advancing more inclusive and sustainable models of growth.

The gathering concluded with a guided coffee tasting that celebrated the depth and diversity of Kenyan coffee. The tasting served as a reminder of what is possible when quality, care, and community are centered together.

This event marks an important early step in the Caffè Corretto initiative, which aims to build networks of solidarity, shared knowledge, and coordinated action so that Kenya’s coffee sector better serves local communities. AWICI’s leadership in convening women and amplifying their voices reflects IWCA’s broader mission to ensure women are visible, valued, and leading change across the global coffee value chain.

Caffè Corretto is funded by AICS and implemented by CELIM Kenya, in collaboration with CELIM Milano, IPSIA, Caritas Nairobi, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Sauti Ya Kahawa (KCP), and AWICI. IWCA Global also extends thanks to Café Amka, Wylde International, and ISA Africa for enriching the dialogue with their experience and perspective.