Slow acquires African Coffee Roasters in strategic expansion move

KENYA – Danish coffee producer Slow has finalized an agreement to acquire African Coffee Roasters (ACR) from Coop and the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU). 

The acquisition marks Slow’s expansion into Africa, strengthening its global presence in coffee-producing regions. .

Previously focused on sustainable coffee cultivation in Southeast Asia, Slow will now integrate ACR’s operations in Kenya into its business model. 

According to Slow’s CEO, Sebastian Nielsen, the acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy of developing a fully integrated coffee value chain.

“Coop and IFU have built a strong foundation with ACR, creating a supply chain that keeps more value where coffee is grown. By integrating ACR’s capabilities with our approach to regenerative coffee farming, we aim to enhance sustainability and transparency across the sector,” Nielsen said.

ACR’s role in the coffee industry

Founded a decade ago, ACR has been a key player in value-added coffee production, roasting coffee in Kenya for European markets. It supplies brands such as Cirkel Kaffe, Änglamark, and Irma. 

Unlike traditional coffee supply chains that rely on exporting raw green beans for roasting elsewhere, ACR retains processing closer to the source, creating jobs and generating local economic benefits.

ACR reported its first profit in 2023 after initial financial challenges under Coop. The company expects strong financial performance for 2024, with results to be published in April 2025. 

Under Slow’s ownership, ACR will continue operating in Kenya, with access to additional resources for green innovation and sustainable production practices.

Jacob Elsborg, CEO of ACR, described the acquisition as an opportunity to scale sustainable coffee production. 

“Slow shares our commitment to responsible sourcing and production. Combining our expertise will allow us to build on what we have achieved while ensuring that more value remains within coffee-growing regions,” he said.

Slow’s expansion beyond coffee

Slow has been broadening its operations beyond coffee, entering the cocoa industry in 2023 with the acquisition of an Indonesian cocoa company. 

The company has also established corporate agreements in Denmark, supplying coffee to businesses including Velux, the Danish Police, and Topsøe.

With the integration of ACR, Slow aims to further develop a supply chain model that emphasizes local value retention and environmental responsibility. 

The company’s regenerative farming approach focuses on restoring ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity while ensuring fair compensation for coffee farmers. 

The acquisition enables Slow to extend this model to East Africa, a key coffee-producing region.

Industry trends and market context

The global coffee industry has been undergoing shifts toward sustainable and transparent sourcing. 

Consumer demand for ethically produced coffee has prompted businesses to rethink traditional supply chains. Companies that focus on traceability, carbon impact reduction, and fairer distribution of profits are gaining traction in the market.

For supermarkets, hospitality brands, and coffee solution businesses, supplier decisions increasingly go beyond product quality to include sustainability credentials. 

Nielsen emphasized that Slow’s acquisition of ACR is part of this industry trend, stating that businesses and consumers are seeking greater accountability in coffee production.

Pending regulatory approval in Kenya, ACR will be fully integrated into Slow’s sourcing and sustainability strategies while maintaining existing supply partnerships. 

The acquisition reinforces Slow’s presence in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, offering customers continued access to impact-driven coffee solutions.