×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Fearless, Trusted News
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download App

Lessons from UAE and how we catch up

Aerial view of Dubai Palm Jumeirah island, United Arab Emirates. [iStockphoto]

At the World Trade Center in Dubai days ago, a coffee shop executive noticed my Kenyan wrist band. He stepped back, wagged a finger and after a blank stare, put me on my defense.

The object of his unease was the fact that his chain, with branches in Europe, US and the Middle East, no longer gets ample coffee supplies from Kenya, a market they have trusted for decades.

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.
Fact‑first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimized reading experience
  • Weekly Newsletters
  • MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Already a subscriber? Log in