Dimitra signs a partnership agreement with Kenya's National Coffee Cooperative to Develop National ESG and Carbon Initiative
October 2 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
Susan Murphy
Dimitra, global agricultural technology company has joined forces with the National Coffee Cooperative Union (NACCU) to launch a nationwide initiative aimed at securing the future of Kenyan coffee in international markets. This strategic partnership is set to equip over a million smallholder farmers with the digital tools needed to meet stringent new European Union environmental regulations, thereby protecting a vital export corridor.
The impetus for this collaboration is the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a groundbreaking policy that will soon require all coffee imports into the EU to be fully traceable and certified as deforestation-free. With the European market accounting for more than half of Kenya’s coffee exports, compliance is not merely an advantage but an urgent necessity. The regulation mandates that farmers provide precise GPS coordinates, forest cover data, and legal documentation for their land—a daunting challenge for smallholders who often lack access to digital mapping and compliance systems.
Dimitra and NACCU are acting swiftly to close this technological gap. Through Dimitra’s AI-driven Connected Coffee platform, farmers affiliated with NACCU unions will be able to digitally register and map their farms, complete deforestation risk assessments, and generate compliance reports aligned with EUDR requirements. To ensure widespread adoption, the initiative includes mobile-based onboarding and technical support in both English and Swahili, with offline capabilities to reach producers in remote key regions such as Meru, Kipkelion, Kiambu, Nyeri, and Mt. Elgon.
Jon Trask - CEO of Dimitra
Jon Trask, CEO of Dimitra, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership, stating, “EUDR will completely reshape the global coffee trade for the better, and Kenya is stepping up to meet the challenge.” He added that the initiative goes beyond compliance, advancing Kenya’s broader sustainability goals and creating new opportunities in carbon and ESG markets while strengthening local livelihoods.
Mr. Festus Bett - CEO of NACCU
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Festus Bett, CEO of NACCU, highlighted the importance of inclusion. “This partnership demonstrates that with the right technology and grassroots coordination, it is possible to bring millions of smallholder farmers into global compliance,” he said. “We are not only securing their access to a key export market but also reinforcing our commitment to building sustainable and transparent agricultural value chains.”
By integrating environmental compliance, carbon accounting, and ESG practices directly into the coffee value chain, this partnership aims to do more than just adhere to new rules—it seeks to future-proof the Kenyan coffee industry, empower its farmers, and solidify the country’s position as a leader in sustainable agriculture.