Alfred Gitau Mwaura is a prominent figure in Kenya’s coffee industry, best known as the founder of Kenya Coffee School and Barista Mtaani. He’s also the founder of the Kenya Barista Association, which aims to unite, empower, and advance baristas and specialty coffee professionals in Kenya and beyond.
Through Barista Mtaani, Mwaura’s initiative has trained thousands of Kenyan youth in barista skills and entrepreneurship, promoting the coffee industry and specialty coffee culture. The program focuses on:
- Barista Skills Training: Espresso machine operation, milk frothing, latte art, and alternative brewing methods
- Coffee Value Addition: Basics of coffee roasting, blending, packaging, and branding
- Business & Financial Literacy: Starting a coffee kiosk or mobile stand, costing, pricing, and profit margins
- Job Linkages & Mentorship: Internships in partner cafés and hotels
Mwaura’s work has created over 33,000 jobs and boosted local coffee consumption by 15% in 9 years. His vision is to equip young Kenyans with employable skills, promoting a sustainable coffee industry.¹ ² ³