With the support of TFO Canada, businesses like Utake Coffee Limited are gaining the tools and international exposure needed to succeed in global markets and overcome the challenges of expanding abroad. Through the Women in Trade program, TFO Canada has helped women-led businesses like Utake Coffee overcome the challenges of expanding abroad.

Founded in 2018 in the Nairobi Area of Kenya, Utake Coffee Limited is a women-owned company recognized for its high-quality Kenyan coffee and commitment to sustainability. Under the leadership of Mbula Musau, the company has rapidly transitioned from a local supplier to an international exporter. Utake Coffee success is based on their focus on sustainable, social and governance practices. The company has invested significant resources into research and development.

In 2022, the company launched its Specialty Kenyan Coffee Drip Bag, an eco-friendly, biodegradable product that has been praised for its convenience and sustainability. This innovation earned Utake Coffee the Sustainability Award at the 2023 Kenya Beverage Awards. “what that means is that we are not just about trading coffee; we’re about giving back to farmers by paying them better than the average price, helping to fulfill the goals of our farmers and their families,” says Mbula Musau, CEO of Utake Coffee. In a single thought: Utake ensuring fair compensation for farmers while promoting environmentally friendly products.

While Utake Coffee’s focus on sustainability and innovation is central to its mission, the company’s global expansion would not have been possible without TFO Canada’s support. Through its Women in Trade program, TFO Canada provided Utake Coffee with guidance and resources to navigate the complexities of international business. The company has been exporting since 2018 to the USA, Germany and China market. A key moment came in May 2024, when Utake participated in the SIAL 2024 Show in Montreal, a crucial platform for expanding into the Canadian market.

Reflecting on the experience, Mbula explains: “We thank TFO Canada for giving us the opportunity to be here at SIAL 2024 to showcase Kenyan specialty coffee. This exhibition will give us a chance to penetrate the Canadian market and ensure that our product is available on a bigger scale. We’re thankful for the hand-holding and the partnerships that are really important to ensuring success in this kind of mission.” In less than 3 months, Utake was able to sell $17,000 USD in the Canadian market.

However, entering the Canadian market came with its own set of hurdles. The diversity of consumer preferences in Canada meant that Utake had to carefully tailor its marketing strategies and product offerings to meet the demands of different market segments. Understanding the cultural differences and purchasing behaviors required Utake to go through a steep learning curve, involving trial and error as they refined their products and adjusted their market approach.

Thanks to the exposure and connections made through TFO Canada’s support, Utake Coffee has laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the Canadian market. The company’s dedication to excellence, both in terms of product quality and environmental stewardship, is at the heart of its success. Looking to the future, Utake Coffee plans to scale up production of its innovative drip coffee bags, further reduce its carbon footprint, and consolidate its operations to enhance efficiency.

By staying true to its core values of quality, sustainability, and empowerment, Utake Coffee is well on its way to becoming a leader in the global specialty coffee industry with the value proposition: “Coffee that empowers!”.