Kahawa Roots was born out of a shared vision to bridge the gap between coffee farmers and conscious coffee lovers across the world,a journey that started from two very different backgrounds but was fueled by a common passion for creating meaningful change.

Growing up in Kenya, coffee wasn’t just a crop,it was part of life. I watched my grandmother and other smallholder farmers pour their hearts into growing some of the best coffee beans in the world. Yet, despite their hard work, the returns they received barely covered their living expenses. The challenges of the coffee value chain, controlled by intermediaries and brokers, meant that farmers earned far less than what their coffee was worth.

One of the biggest frustrations for the farmers was the lack of traceability. Their coffee often ended up in large broker markets, where it got mixed with other batches, making it impossible to trace its origin. They never found out how their coffee performed, how it was received by roasters, or how it was valued in the final market. This lack of transparency left farmers feeling disconnected from their hard work and unable to improve or take pride in their produce.

Years later, I found myself at the University of Birmingham, pursuing my dream course in Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It was here that I met my co-founder Rupal, a like-minded classmate from India. Over countless conversations, we bonded over our shared passion for entrepreneurship and a deep desire to build a business that would create a positive social and environmental impact.

Rupal, a coffee enthusiast, often shared stories about coffee culture, while I shared stories from home,stories of farmers who grew some of the world’s finest coffee but struggled to make a living from it. During one of our frequent catch-ups, we realized something: we had the same dream, just from different perspectives. We saw an opportunity to merge our passions and tackle a real problem,connecting Kenyan farmers directly to ethical roasters and consumers, cutting out the intermediaries who took a large share of the profits.

What’s made this journey even more exciting is how our coursework in Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship has guided us in shaping Kahawa Roots. We’ve integrated key frameworks we’ve learned about sustainability and ethical business practices, ensuring that our venture is not just profitable but also impactful for people and the planet. These principles have become the foundation of Kahawa Roots, driving everything from fair pricing models to sustainable farming practices and eco-friendly packaging.

With the help of farmer associations back in Kenya, we validated the need and realized that coffee has roots far deeper than just a drink,it carries the hopes and dreams of the communities that grow it. This insight became the foundation for Kahawa Roots,a venture that would empower farmers to trace the origin of their coffee, take pride in their work, and earn a fair, sustainable income, free from the control of middlemen.

Our journey has been one of learning, collaboration, and passion. We’ve met farmers, roasters, and coffee lovers along the way, all united by a desire to do things differently. At Kahawa Roots, we believe that coffee should tell a story,a story of its roots, its people, and its impact.

We’re more than just coffee traders. We’re building a movement to ensure every cup of coffee makes a difference,from farm to cup.

Brewing Sustainability,Empowering Farmers.