Mambo Leo team
Kenya’s coffee industry is rich in history, and its coffee is admired around the world. Yet many of the smallholder farmers behind it face real barriers: limited access to training, little say in how their coffee is sold, and incomes that swing with every harvest. Women do a large share of the work on many farms, and young people often leave for the cities because coffee does not look like a future.
Our mission at Mambo Leo is to change that, one bag at a time. We set out to empower Kenyan youth and women in coffee farming by providing access to global markets, education and fair compensation.
Training that pays off
We offer training in three areas that make a lasting difference:
- Farming techniques that improve the quality and consistency of the harvest.
- Roasting basics, so growers understand how their coffee is judged at the other end of the supply chain.
- Financial literacy, so the income from a good harvest goes further.
A seat at the cupping table
Training is only the start. Women and youth from the programme take an active part in sourcing and quality control, which means the people we invest in help decide which lots are good enough to ship. It builds skills that are valued across the industry, and it builds pride in the coffee itself.
Profits reinvested in the community
A percentage of our profits goes back into community development, mentorship and leadership training. These are long-term investments: they create opportunities that last beyond a single harvest and give young people a reason to see coffee as a career.
Our vision includes creating long-term opportunities for youth and women, making coffee a vehicle for empowerment, education, and community investment.
Mambo Leo Coffee, vision statement
Volunteering and partnership
For those who want to make a deeper impact, volunteer opportunities are available after training. Roasters and partners are also welcome to visit the cooperatives we work with and see the programme for themselves.
What it means for your roastery
When you buy Kenyan green coffee from Mambo Leo, you get specialty-grade, fully traceable lots and a story worth telling your customers. Every bag supports the women and youth who grew it.
Read more about the programme on our Youth and Women Empowerment page, see the people involved in the gallery, or request a sample to taste the coffee.
