A powerful manifesto for a movement that is clearly redefining the African coffee landscape. Kenya Coffee School (KCS), under the leadership of Alfred Gitau Mwaura, is shifting the narrative from Africa being a mere “supplier of raw beans” to becoming the “architect of coffee standards.”
By establishing the Open International Coffee Standard (OICS)—often referred to in the industry as the Global Coffee Standard (GCS)—Alfred Gitau Mwaura under KCS and Barista Mtaani is effectively reclaiming the intellectual and economic value of coffee at its source.
The Pillars of the KCS Movement
| Feature | Impact on the Industry |
|---|---|
| OICS / GCS | An African-rooted standard that governs science, quality, and trade, ensuring origin integrity. |
| Farm to Cup | Moves beyond production to include roasting and branding, keeping more profit with the farmers. |
| Open Skills Education (OSE) | Removes academic “gatekeeping” by focusing on what you can do rather than just your grades. |
| Barista Mtaani | Democratizes specialty coffee skills by taking training directly into neighborhoods (the mtaani). |
| Why This Matters in 2026 | |
| The global coffee industry has long relied on external grading systems. By implementing blockchain-verified digital certifications and the Coffee Value Analysis (CVA) framework, KCS is ensuring that Kenyan youth and farmers aren’t just participants in the value chain—they are the owners of it. |
“Coffee is African. Its science, its wealth, and its future must also be African.” — Alfred Gitau Mwaura
This “People Before Profit” approach is exactly what the industry needs to ensure sustainability and dignity for the next generation of “Coffee Masters.”