Ethiopia's coffee industry is experiencing a significant revitalization, largely due to the inauguration of East Africa's first-ever coffee tasting center. This innovative facility has not only elevated the quality of Ethiopian coffee exports but has also ignited considerable interest from international investors eager to tap into the country's thriving coffee sector.
Shafi Omer, Deputy Director-General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, underscored the vital role of expanding such tasting centers in elevating coffee quality. He emphasized that this leading East African center is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing export quality and attracting further international engagement.
Shafi highlighted the significant strides made in the coffee sector in recent years, attributing much of the success to a focused coffee strategy, improved structural organization, and revised guidelines. He noted that the "Green Legacy" initiative, which saw the planting of over eight billion coffee seedlings, has directly led to enhanced productivity and a substantial increase in export volumes.
These collective efforts have resulted in a remarkable achievement: coffee export revenues have more than tripled in recent years. In the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Ethiopia shipped an impressive 409,605 tons of coffee, far surpassing the initial target of 280,887 tons and generating substantial income.
Further reforms within the sector have also empowered licensed farmers by enabling them to directly export their coffee. This initiative has seen over 100 farmers bypass intermediaries, directly supplying high-quality coffee to the international market and significantly benefiting both individual producers and the national economy. Ethiopia has also successfully diversified its export reach, beginning shipments to 20 new countries this year as part of its strategic market expansion.
Dr. Hussein Ambo, President of the Ethiopian National Coffee Association, affirmed ongoing collaborations with stakeholders to boost Ethiopian coffee's global presence. He highlighted upcoming events, including the Ethiopia Coffee Tourism and Exhibition in 2026, aimed at promoting the country's coffee heritage.
Dr. Hussein also mentioned continued efforts, in partnership with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority and Hawassa University, to globally promote Sidama's uniquely flavored coffee. This initiative is set to be expanded to other distinct Ethiopian coffee varieties. He added that research and knowledge support for coffee productivity are being bolstered through joint efforts with higher education institutions located in coffee-growing regions, ENA learned.