Global Leaders Unite to Advance Coffee Education

Posted on July 15, 2026July 15, 2026 by Qahwa World

Source: Fondazione Ernesto Illy ETS / UNIDO / SCA / ICO
Author: Editorial Team
Date: July 15, 2026

Global Leaders Unite to Advance Coffee Education

Global coffee leaders convened at World of Coffee Brussels for a landmark panel discussion on education.
The event celebrated 15 years of the Master in Coffee Economics and Science – Ernesto Illy.
The Ernesto Illy Master Alumni Community was officially launched as a global professional network.
Panelists explored collaborative frameworks for workforce development in African producing countries.
UNIDO’s ACT Coffee Programme and Coffee Training Centres were highlighted as key capacity-building platforms.
Ethiopia’s Coffee Training Centre has already certified hundreds of professionals across Africa.
Speakers emphasized education as the most sustainable investment in coffee’s future.

Global leaders in coffee, education, and international development convened at World of Coffee Brussels 2026. The event featured a landmark panel discussion on education’s role in shaping the coffee sector’s future. Organized by Fondazione Ernesto Illy ETS, UNIDO, SCA, and ICO, the event marked 15 years of the Master in Coffee Economics and Science.

The panels celebrated the program’s legacy and launched its Alumni Community. Participants also explored collaborative frameworks for workforce development in African producing countries. The message was clear: education is the most sustainable investment in coffee’s future.

Panel I: 15 Years of the Ernesto Illy Master

The first session celebrated 15 editions of the Master in Coffee Economics and Science. It is the only international first-level Master’s programme taught in English. The panel featured founding faculty members, industry partners, and alumni from Costa Rica and Ethiopia.

Speakers included Anna Illy, Sunalini Menon, Eliana Cossio, Daniel Sanchez, and Addisu Dulacha Gobana. The session culminated in the official launch of the Ernesto Illy Master Alumni Community. This global professional network extends the programme’s impact beyond the classroom.

**Panel I Speakers – 15 Years of the Ernesto Illy Master**
Speaker	Affiliation
Anna Illy	Chair, Fondazione Ernesto Illy ETS
Sunalini Menon	President, CoffeeLab Limited
Eliana Cossio	Chief Research Officer, SCA
Daniel Sanchez	Alumni 2018, Costa Rica
Addisu Dulacha Gobana	Alumni 2019, Ethiopia

“The Master in Coffee Economics and Science – Ernesto Illy was born from a bold vision: to recognize coffee not just as a product, but as a field of knowledge bringing together science, economics, culture, and sustainability in a truly multidisciplinary and international dialogue. Fifteen editions later, it has grown into much more than an academic program: it is a global community of 300 passionate professionals who share a deeper understanding of coffee from plant to cup. With the launch of the Ernesto Illy Master Alumni Community, this shared knowledge becomes an even stronger force: connecting people, inspiring ideas and shaping the future of coffee.”

— Anna Illy, Chair, Fondazione Ernesto Illy ETS

Panel II: Innovation for Capacity Building

The second session examined how international organisations, governments, and the private sector can strengthen human capital. Focus areas included UNIDO/ACT Programme Coffee Training Centres. These are skills platforms across East African countries. The panel also discussed SCA Coffee Education Systems and new collaboration models for Africa.

Ethiopia’s Coffee Training Centre experience was presented by Dr. Adugna Debela, Director General of ECTA. Speakers included Vanusia Nogueira, Iannis Apostolopoulos, Providence Mavubi, Stijn De Lameilliere, and Wouter Cools.

**Panel II Speakers – Innovation for Capacity Building**
Speaker	Affiliation
Vanusia Nogueira	Executive Director, ICO
Iannis Apostolopoulos	CEO, Specialty Coffee Association
Providence Mavubi	Director, Agribusiness, UNIDO
Dr. Adugna Debela	Director General, ECTA
Stijn De Lameilliere	GPE/WB
Wouter Cools	ILO

Shared Conviction: Skills Advancement is Key

Across both panels, a shared conviction emerged. Sustainable transformation requires investing in the enabling environment for skills advancement. This includes robust institutions and accessible training pathways. Internationally recognised certification frameworks are also essential. They allow local professionals to compete, innovate, and lead.

Coffee Training Centres play a crucial role. They equip local actors with technical skills. They link them to advanced training opportunities. This lays the foundation for inclusive value chain participation. It also increases local value addition.

Leadership Perspectives

“For decades, the ICO has recognized that education, skill development, and the transfer of innovation and technology are essential to building a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous coffee sector. Partnerships are the catalyst for this change, connecting local talent with global expertise, strong institutions, and internationally recognized training and certification pathways. Together, we can transform capacity building into lasting economic and social progress for coffee-producing countries.”

— Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, ICO

“Education is not merely a tool for knowledge transfer – it is a foundational investment in the long-term resilience and inclusiveness of the coffee sector. Through its ACT Coffee Programme, UNIDO is committed to building the enabling environment in which skills advancement can take root and thrive. Coffee Training Centres across Africa are proof that when we invest in people, we invest in the entire value chain.”

— Providence Mavubi, Director, Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development, UNIDO

“The Ethiopia Coffee Training Centre demonstrates what becomes possible when local expertise meets international standards. Our producers and professionals are not only learning – they are leading.”

— Dr. Adugna Debela, Director General, ECTA

“Building a more equitable coffee sector begins with creating more access for the people within our industry. SCA is proud to be part of a growing ecosystem of organizations that recognize education as the foundation of a resilient, inclusive value chain. When local professionals have access to internationally recognized pathways, everyone in coffee benefits.”

— Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO, SCA

Spotlight: Ethiopia’s Coffee Training Centre

The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority hosts the Coffee Training Centre within its premises in Addis Ababa. It was established with AICS funding and UNIDO technical support. Partners include Illycaffè and the Ernesto Illy Foundation.

The centre is equipped with roasting, brewing, and sensory laboratories. It delivers internationally standardized training across the post-harvest coffee value chain. The centre has already certified hundreds of professionals from across Africa.

About the Organizations

Fondazione Ernesto Illy ETS was established to preserve and promote the legacy of Ernesto Illy. It focuses on scientific research, education, and sustainability projects for coffee value chains. The Foundation’s core value is Ethics.

UNIDO is the UN’s specialized agency for inclusive and sustainable industrial development. It supports sustainable supply chains and strengthens agribusinesses. Its ACT Coffee Programme enhances climate resilience and local value addition in Africa.

The International Coffee Organization is the only intergovernmental organization dedicated to coffee sector sustainability. It provides official statistics and facilitates technical cooperation projects.

The Specialty Coffee Association is the global stage for specialty coffee. It brings together diverse voices across the value chain to spark dialogue and fuel innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What event took place at World of Coffee Brussels?Global coffee leaders convened for a panel discussion on education, celebrating 15 years of the Master in Coffee Economics and Science and launching its Alumni Community.

What is the Ernesto Illy Master program?It is the only international first-level Master’s programme in Coffee Economics and Science taught in English. It brings together science, economics, culture, and sustainability.

What is the Ernesto Illy Master Alumni Community?It is a global professional network and digital platform launched to extend the programme’s impact beyond the classroom, connecting 300 professionals worldwide.

What are Coffee Training Centres?They are skills platforms across East African countries supported by UNIDO’s ACT Coffee Programme, providing internationally standardized training.

What is the Ethiopia Coffee Training Centre?It is a training centre in Addis Ababa equipped with roasting, brewing, and sensory laboratories, delivering standardized training across the coffee value chain.

How many professionals has the Ethiopia CTC trained?The centre has already certified hundreds of professionals from across Africa since its establishment.

Ethiopia Surpasses $3 Billion Coffee Export Target, Sets Sights on $6 Billion

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Qahwa World

Source: Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture – Official Statement |
Author: Qahwa World |
Date: July 4, 2026

Ethiopia Surpasses $3 Billion Coffee Export Target, Sets Sights on $6 Billion

Key Takeaways:

Ethiopia has generated more than $3 billion in coffee export earnings during the 2025/26 fiscal year – the country’s strongest coffee export performance on record.
The achievement represents a significant increase from the $2.65 billion earned in the previous fiscal year.
The government is now targeting $6 billion in annual coffee export earnings within five years.
The strategy aims to raise average coffee productivity from about 9 quintals per hectare to 21 quintals per hectare.
Coffee remains Ethiopia’s largest agricultural export and a major source of foreign exchange earnings.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority.

Ethiopia has generated more than $3 billion in coffee export earnings during the 2025/26 fiscal year, surpassing a government target and marking the country’s strongest coffee export performance on record. This milestone comes as Ethiopia continues to cement its position as the birthplace of Arabica coffee and one of the world’s leading specialty coffee origins.

Announcing the milestone, Ethiopian Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega said the achievement reflects improvements in production, productivity and quality across the coffee value chain. The result represents a significant increase from the $2.65 billion earned in the previous fiscal year.

The Ambitious Target: $6 Billion Within Five Years

Speaking during discussions on a new national coffee development framework, Addisu said Ethiopia is targeting annual coffee export earnings of $6 billion within five years. The strategy aims to raise average coffee productivity from about 9 quintals per hectare to 21 quintals per hectare. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, seeks to accelerate productivity growth, improve quality standards and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in global coffee markets.

Fiscal Year	Coffee Export Earnings	Change
2024/2025	$2.65 billion	–
2025/2026	$3.0+ billion	+13.2%
2030/2031 Target	$6.0 billion	+100%

Boosting Productivity: From 9 to 21 Quintals per Hectare

Raising productivity from 9 to 21 quintals per hectare represents a major transformation for the sector. This will require significant investment in improving agricultural practices, providing high-quality inputs, training farmers, and developing infrastructure. The strategy also includes improving quality standards to enhance the reputation of Ethiopian coffee in global markets and increasing competitiveness, especially in the specialty coffee segment for which Ethiopia is renowned.

Coffee: The Backbone of Ethiopia’s Economy and a Key Source of Foreign Exchange

Coffee remains Ethiopia’s largest agricultural export and a major source of foreign exchange earnings, supporting millions of smallholder farmers while reinforcing the country’s position as the birthplace of Arabica coffee and one of the world’s leading specialty coffee origins. This achievement represents an important step in Ethiopia’s strategy to strengthen coffee’s role in economic development and achieve ambitious growth targets.

The Road to $6 Billion: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the significant achievement, Ethiopia’s coffee sector faces challenges including climate change, weak infrastructure in some areas, and the need to improve market access. However, opportunities are also substantial, especially with growing global demand for specialty coffee and Ethiopia’s renowned reputation in this field. The new strategy provides a clear roadmap to turn these opportunities into tangible reality, with a focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ethiopia’s Coffee Export Achievements

Q: How much did Ethiopia earn from coffee exports in fiscal year 2025/2026?

A: More than $3 billion, the highest level ever recorded.

Q: What is Ethiopia’s new coffee export target?

A: Ethiopia is targeting $6 billion annually within five years.

Q: How does Ethiopia plan to achieve this target?

A: By raising average productivity from 9 quintals per hectare to 21 quintals, improving quality, and strengthening competitiveness.

Q: Why is coffee important to Ethiopia’s economy?

A: Coffee is Ethiopia’s largest agricultural export and a key source of foreign exchange, supporting millions of farmers.

Q: Which authority oversees coffee sector development in Ethiopia?

A: The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority.

Ethiopia’s surpassing of the $3 billion coffee export mark is a milestone in the country’s history, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve production and quality. With the ambitious target of reaching $6 billion, Ethiopia is drawing a roadmap for its future as a global coffee power, while preserving its position as the birthplace of Arabica. The road is long, but the will and vision are strong.

Prepared and edited by: Qahwa World – Based on an official statement from the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture.

Publication date: July 4, 2026

Ethiopia Earns $762.7 Million from Coffee Exports in Q1 FY 2025/26

Posted on October 15, 2025December 6, 2025 by Qahwa World

Addis Ababa – Qahwa World

Ethiopia generated $762.75 million in revenue from coffee exports during the first quarter of the 2025/26 fiscal year, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority. The figure represents a 47% increase, or $243.73 million more than the same period last year, exceeding both export and revenue targets.

Dr. Adugna Debela, Director General of the Authority, announced that the country exported 113,542 tons of coffee between July and September 2025, achieving 75% of the planned export volume of 151,969.41 tons. However, the revenue reached 123% of the quarterly target of $622.5 million, underscoring higher prices and stronger market performance.

Leading Destinations

Germany remained the largest buyer, importing 20,793.14 tons (18%) and contributing $138.18 million (18%) to total earnings. Saudi Arabia followed with 16,088.45 tons (14%), generating $102.18 million (13%), while Belgium ranked third with 13,910.92 tons (12%) and $93.45 million (12%) in revenue.

Other key destinations included China (4th), the United States (5th), South Korea (6th), the United Arab Emirates (7th), Japan (8th), Italy (9th), and the Russian Federation (10th). Together, these top ten markets accounted for 80% of the total export volume and 79% of Ethiopia’s foreign exchange earnings. Compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year, the top destinations saw 3% growth in export volume and a significant 52% increase in revenue.

Key Drivers Behind the Growth

Dr. Adugna attributed the strong performance to multiple strategic initiatives introduced by the Authority, including:

Expanding coffee export markets to new destinations such as China.

Enhancing data quality and modernizing trade monitoring through a centralized coffee database and a secure data exchange system that tracks daily shipments.

Providing traders and stakeholders with monthly global and domestic market updates to support informed decision-making.

Reinforcing supervision to ensure exporters meet delivery timelines and contractual obligations.

Introducing a weekly minimum contract selling price aligned with global market trends.

Strengthening bilateral cooperation and knowledge exchange with countries that have advanced coffee production and management experience.

The Authority emphasized that these measures are part of Ethiopia’s broader effort to maximize export revenues and solidify its position as Africa’s leading coffee producer and exporter.

Ethiopia Raises Capital Requirements for Coffee Exporters

Posted on September 14, 2025December 6, 2025 by Qahwa World

Addis Ababa – September 14, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) has announced sweeping changes to the country’s coffee export regulations, significantly increasing the minimum capital required for exporters. The move, introduced under Directive 1106/2025, aims to professionalize the sector, reduce malpractice, and ensure higher quality standards in Ethiopia’s leading export industry.

Private coffee exporters must now hold a starting capital of 15 million birr, up from just 1 million birr — a 15-fold increase. Trade associations and corporate entities such as joint stock and limited liability companies face an even steeper jump, from 1.5 million birr to 20 million birr, more than 13 times the previous threshold. ECTA stated that previous rules were inadequate to monitor exporters and prevent the misuse of certificates of competence.

In addition to higher financial requirements, all exporters — except farmer exporters — are now obligated to establish an ECTA-certified coffee laboratory for basic quality testing. They must also employ a qualified coffee taster with at least a diploma and a renewed proficiency certificate, with each taster restricted to serving only one dispatcher.

The decision has divided stakeholders. Veteran exporter Semachew Ababu welcomed the directive, saying it would “refine the market” by filtering out under-funded players and ensuring greater consistency in quality for international buyers.

But smaller businesses voiced concerns. Entrepreneur Sosena Desalegin criticized the sudden hike, calling it “impossible to raise that much money overnight for a new business,” warning that it could stifle new entrants and competition.

Independent experts acknowledged the directive’s goal of curbing illegal practices but cautioned against the unintended consequences. “It may limit the sector to a few large players, which is not healthy for long-term growth and diversification,” one expert observed.

The new guidelines came into effect this week and are expected to reshape Ethiopia’s coffee export market, potentially concentrating power in the hands of larger companies while tightening quality controls across the sector.