Post was originally posted on Forbes Africa
Eva Muthuuri, founding director of Eva’s Coffee Limited, is transforming agriculture by empowering women and connecting them to global markets. Through award-winning coffee production and programs supporting hundreds of local Kenyan farmers, Eva champions gender equality and sustainable practices. With plans for a coffee tourism Eco-Lodge and advanced farmer training, Eva’s vision ensures her legacy will continue to uplift communities and inspire change.
1.Can you share the journey of Eva’s Coffee, from its inception to where it is today? What inspired you to venture into the coffee industry, particularly as a woman in agriculture?
Eva’s Coffee Limited is a company dedicated to empowering women in agriculture. When the call came for us to shift from aid to trade, I asked myself, “What does Kenya have that the world needs every morning?” The answer was clear—a cup of coffee. With a passion for gender equality, I established Eva’s Coffee to connect women producers to global markets and unlock economic opportunities for them.
Before venturing into agriculture, I authored Kenya’s Ksh 4 billion President’s Free Maternity Policy, significantly reducing maternal deaths. Today, Eva’s Coffee supports over 600 women farmers, produces award-winning coffee, and advocates for women’s inclusion through platforms like the International Women’s Coffee Alliance Kenya Chapter.
Our work has earned recognition from The African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) and featured on CNN, showcasing our role as a progressive company embracing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Eva’s Coffee is about more than coffee—it’s about creating opportunities and making a lasting impact.
2.Empowerment seems to be a core value of Eva’s Coffee. Could you elaborate on the initiatives or programs you have in place to support and uplift other women in agriculture?
Empowerment is at the heart of everything we do at Eva’s Coffee. Supporting and uplifting women in agriculture is not just a value but a commitment that drives our initiatives and programs.
We provide training in sustainable farming techniques to help women produce high-quality coffee and access better yields and prices. Through partnerships with organizations like the United States African Development Foundation (USADF), International Trade Center (ITC), Afrexim Bank, and Absa Bank, we offer women farmers access to microloans, grants, and essential farming inputs, enabling them to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
As a 3P company (Profit, Planet, People), we prioritize climate resilience and advocate for women’s inclusion in the coffee industry through platforms like the International Women’s Coffee Alliance Kenya chapter. We also connect women to global markets, providing export readiness training and market linkages.
Health is another critical area we focus on because, as I always say, a sick farmer cannot deliver even a kilo of coffee. Through partnerships with Vectogram Health, we’ve introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) breast cancer detection and supported farmers through medical camps.
Through these initiatives, we are not only equipping women with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive but also creating a ripple effect of empowerment that strengthens communities and paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable agricultural sector.
3.Agriculture accounts for approximately 21% of Africa’s GDP, and women make up 60-80% of agricultural labor. However, with the sector being largely informal, women are not able to earn decent living wages and often remain in poverty despite their contributions. What actions can be taken to promote women’s economic power in the agriculture sector?
To promote women’s economic power in agriculture, several actions need to be taken.
First, ensuring equal land rights and inheritance for women is critical, as land is a fundamental asset that provides security and leverage for sustainable investment. Access to finance and credit is equally important, allowing women to invest in their farms without the need for land as collateral. Tailored training programs can enhance women’s agricultural skills and knowledge. Facilitating market access and value-addition opportunities can help women sell their produce at better prices, while policies that address gender disparities and promote women’s representation in decision-making are essential for long-term change. Investing in climate-resilient practices, modern technology, and support networks—such as childcare and healthcare—can further empower women by reducing the risks they face.
4.Gender inequality and poor representation of women in decision-making roles remain a significant barrier to women’s economic power through agriculture. What are some of the drivers of inequality and what opportunities do you see for African countries to address these barriers, including through gender-sensitive policies?
I have witnessed firsthand how gender roles, limited mobility, and unequal access to resources hinder many women from fully participating in this critical sector. Institutional barriers, such as discriminatory laws, lack of representation in decision-making roles, and inadequate education and training, exacerbate these inequalities. Economic factors like wage gaps, limited access to credit, and unequal land ownership further prevent women from achieving economic independence.
To address these challenges, we need gender-sensitive policies that reform discriminatory laws, promote women’s land rights, and ensure equitable resource access. Capacity building through education, leadership training, and access to technology can empower women while improving access to credit and financial services and supporting entrepreneurship can boost their economic power. Fund allocators must intentionally address gender bottlenecks, such as the lack of land or vehicles as collateral. Advocacy and partnerships with governments, international organizations, and research institutions are also essential for driving systemic change.
By tackling these barriers and embracing these opportunities, we can create a more equitable and sustainable agricultural sector that uplifts women and promotes their economic independence, enabling them to contribute to the broader economy.
5.What are your plans for Eva’s Coffee? How do you envision further supporting women in agriculture and continuing to create a positive impact through your work?
At Eva’s Coffee, we’re proud to be a local roaster and distributor, sourcing directly from women groups in coffee cooperatives and providing roasted coffee for the local market. Looking ahead, I envision Eva’s Coffee becoming a hub for coffee tourism through the creation of an Eco-Lodge. This lodge will offer tourists a unique ‘farm to cup’ experience, showcasing the journey of coffee while promoting our high-quality products.
Beyond tourism, the Eco-Lodge will also serve as a training center for farmers, with a special focus on empowering women and youth through good agricultural practices (GAP). This initiative aims to strengthen their expertise and create opportunities for economic growth. The Eco-Lodge is more than a business expansion—it’s a vision to institutionalize our impact, ensuring that Eva’s Coffee outlives its founder by building platforms to nurture the next generation of agricultural development champions.