Nairobi Coffee School Overview

☕ Nairobi Coffee School Overview
Nairobi Coffee School (NCS) operates in close partnership with the Barista Mtaani initiative, a grassroots youth empowerment program established by the Kenya Coffee School (KCS). The school is committed to equipping young people with employable, specialized skills in the high-value segments of the coffee industry—from sourcing and roasting to brewing and business management—to foster entrepreneurship and job creation across Kenya.
Overview
Nairobi Coffee School is primarily driven by the Barista Mtaani initiative, which functions as a county-to-county, grassroots training program. It is a not-for-profit initiative focused on social impact and sustainability, aiming to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Kenyan coffee value chain. The school’s main objective is to bridge the gap between Kenya’s world-class coffee production and the lack of youth access to training in lucrative value-addition segments (brewing, roasting, café businesses).
All courses offered are structured as full- or part-funded schemes (half-funded scholarships) to ensure accessibility for youth. The school aims to train 5,000 youth annually and create over 3,000 jobs.
Capacity Building Services
Nairobi Coffee School offers comprehensive, hands-on, certified training programs focusing on practical coffee skills and business acumen. The Key Components of the Barista Mtaani program, which offers Certificate, Diploma, and Micro-Masters in Coffee, include:

• Barista Skills Training: Espresso machine operation, milk frothing & latte art, alternative brewing methods (Aeropress, V60, Cold Brew), and customer service.
• Coffee Value Addition: Basics of coffee roasting & blending, packaging & branding for local markets, and direct trade & ethical sourcing.
• Business & Financial Literacy: Starting a coffee kiosk or mobile stand, costing, pricing & profit margins, and accessing grants & microloans.
• Job Linkages & Mentorship: Internships in partner cafés and hotels, networking with industry professionals, and alumni support.
  Program Tracks & Impact
  The school offers flexible training levels to suit different career goals:
  | Program Name | Duration | Fee (Half-Funded Scholarship) |
  |—|—|—|
  | Barista Mtaani Apres (Weekend Warrior Edition) | 2 days | Ksh. 5,000 |
  | Barista Mtaani Pro (Skill Mastery Edition) | 5 days | Ksh. 10,000 |
  | Barista Mtaani Maestro (Elite Barista Edition) | 21 days | Ksh. 25,000 |
  Key Objectives & Impact:
• Employment: Connecting graduates to jobs in cafés and hotels.
• Entrepreneurship: Supporting startups, such as mobile coffee carts and small roasteries.
• Sustainability: Promoting local coffee consumption and circular economy practices within agribusiness.
  Details
  | Detail | Description |
  |—|—|
  | Affiliation | Partnered with Barista Mtaani, an initiative of Kenya Coffee School (KCS) |
  | Industry | Youth Empowerment, Specialty Coffee Training, and Social Entrepreneurship |
  | Programs Offered | Certificate, Diploma, and Micro-Masters in Coffee |
  | Headquarters | Nairobi (Training Hubs in Ridgeways, Nairobi and Thika Town) |
  | Focus | “Farm & Seed to Cup,” Value Addition, Job Creation, and Sustainability |