The house of Kenyan coffee.
Founded on a bar in Nairobi. Built for the world.
Shabaya Limited is a full-chain coffee company operating from Nairobi, Kenya. We source, roast, train, consult, and outfit the cafes shaping the next decade of African coffee. Every decision we make is guided by a single question: does it earn the cup?
“One standard. Every cup.”
A high-school graduate.
A world finalist.
Martin Shabaya did not plan to live in coffee. He wanted to be an architect. Then, straight out of high school, he stepped behind the counter at Artcaffé to support his family, and the cup answered back.
He rose from junior barista to Head Barista, then to four Kenya National titles, then to Africa Champion in 2020. In Milan 2021, he became the first African finalist in the twenty-two year history of the World Barista Championship, finishing fifth in the world.
Shabaya Limited was formalised the following year to build the company that country deserved. Full chain. African-owned. Priced and presented at the level the cup earns.
Today the company operates a working roastery in Nairobi, a training Academy, an official Sanremo dealership for the continent, a private events arm, curated origin tours, and signature coffee lines sold to cafes, hotels, offices, and homes across East Africa and internationally.
Eight years, one direction.
A brief timeline of how we arrived where we are.
2017
First Kenya National Barista title
Martin wins the Kenya National Barista Championship for the first time, at 24 years old.
2018-2019
Two more national titles
Wins the Kenya National title in back-to-back years while building his first sourcing relationships in Nyeri and Kirinyaga.
2020
Africa Barista Champion
Wins the continental title, qualifying as Kenya's representative for the World Barista Championship.
2021
5th in the world · WBC Milan
First African finalist in WBC history. Pours espresso over charcoal to serve Batian and Ruiru 11 from Maguta Estate. Places fifth.
2022
Sanremo Brand Ambassador for Africa
Becomes the face of Sanremo Coffee Machines across the continent. Shabaya Limited is formalised in Nairobi.
2023
The Maguta Reserve line
Curates the first Shabaya signature coffees with Maguta Estate. Wholesale accounts open across Kenya.
2024
Fourth Kenya National title
Wins the Kenya National championship for the fourth time. Academy training programmes launch in Nairobi.
Today
The house of Kenyan coffee
Shabaya operates a full-chain coffee house: green sourcing, roasting, Academy, machines, experiences, wholesale.
How we decide.
Six principles that quietly govern every hire, every order, every cup we serve.
- · 01
Origin integrity
Every bean is cupped at the farm, scored, and traceable to the picker. No re-bagged anonymity.
- · 02
Roast to reveal
We roast to bring out what the bean already carries. Never to hide it behind bitterness.
- · 03
Pay for the work
Producers earn a fair share of the value we create. Direct trade wherever possible.
- · 04
Teach in public
Every method we use, every recipe we build, we teach. The Academy is not marketing. It is the mission.
- · 05
African coffee is luxury
We price, package and present at the level the cup deserves. No apologies for premium.
- · 06
One standard, every touchpoint
The cup we pour at a wedding is the cup we pour on a competition stage. There is no B-grade Shabaya.
Three sentences we would defend anywhere.
- African coffee deserves global respect.
- Producers deserve greater value.
- African brands deserve the luxury shelf.
Nairobi, Kenya.
Our studio in Nairobi is home to the working roastery, the Academy training bar, the sensory cupping room, and the executive offices. It is where every Shabaya lot is roasted, every barista trained, and every serious conversation begins.
- Working roastery, small-batch Loring
- Two-machine championship-spec training bar
- Sensory cupping room with dedicated palate library
- Open cupping sessions every Saturday
- Private events by appointment
Shabaya Limited
Nairobi, Kenya
- Phone / WhatsApp
- +254 736 044 664
- Studio hours
- Monday to Saturday · By appointment
- Open cupping
- Saturdays · 10am