(Professionalizing Street Coffee Vendors Through Digital Skills & 4A Roasting)
1. Introduction
Barista Mtaani (“Street Barista”) is a certification program by Kenya Coffee School (KCS) designed to:
✔ Upskill informal street coffee vendors in brewing, roasting, and digital sales.
✔ Boost local coffee consumption by making quality, freshly roasted coffee accessible.
✔ Create sustainable livelihoods through affordable 4A roasting technology.
Target Audience:
- Street coffee vendors (mama mbogas, wheelcart operators).
- Youth & women in informal settlements.
- Small kiosk owners selling pre-packaged coffee.
2. Certification Tiers
Level 1: Certified Street Brewer (CSB)
- Duration: 2 weeks (20 hours).
- Skills:
- Basic coffee brewing (drip, French press).
- Mobile payments (M-Pesa) & customer service.
- Hygiene & food safety standards.
Level 2: Certified Mtaani Roaster (CMR)
- Duration: 4 weeks (40 hours).
- Skills:
- Operating 4A roasters (small-batch, affordable roasting).
- Understanding roast profiles (light, medium, dark).
- Digital inventory tracking via Barista Mtaani App.
Level 3: Coffeepreneur (Advanced)
- Duration: 6 weeks (60 hours + mentorship).
- Skills:
- Branding & packaging (e.g., “Mtaani Special Blend”).
- E-commerce sales (Jumia, WhatsApp orders).
- Sustainability practices (composting grounds, reusable cups).
3. Unique Value Proposition
A. 4A Roasting Technology
- Affordable: $800/roaster (lease-to-own options).
- Adaptable: Works in low-power environments.
- Automated: Digital roast profiling for consistency.
B. Digital Integration
- M-Pesa RoastPay: Pay-per-use roasting at hubs.
- Traceability QR Codes: Customers scan to see coffee origin.
C. Sustainability Focus
- Zero-waste model: Coffee chaff → briquettes.
- Local sourcing: Direct partnerships with smallholder farmers.
4. Curriculum Breakdown
| Module | Key Topics | Tools Used |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing Basics | Drip, French press, street espresso | Portable brewers, grinders |
| Roasting 101 | 4A roaster operation, defect identification | 4A roasters, color meters |
| Digital Sales | M-Pesa, social media marketing | Barista Mtaani App, WhatsApp |
| Sustainability | Waste recycling, reusable cup campaigns | Composting kits, briquette presses |
5. Partnerships & Accreditation
- Safaricom: Mobile payment integration & data bundles for vendors.
- County Governments: Licensing support & market space allocation.
- 4A Roaster Manufacturers: Subsidized machines for graduates.
6. Funding Model
- Training Fees:
- CSB: $10 (subsidized by counties).
- CMR: $25 (includes roaster access).
- Revenue Share: 5% from hub-roasted coffee sales.
- Sponsorships: E.g., Nestlé (supply partnerships).
7. Expected Impact
| Metric | Before | After Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Earnings | $5 (instant coffee) | $15 (fresh-roasted specialty) |
| Local Consumption | 5% | 25%+ |
| Post-Harvest Waste | 30% (spoiled greens) | <10% (just-in-time roasting) |
Launch Quote:
“Barista Mtaani transforms street coffee from cheap sachets to fresh-roasted pride.”
