Newly Formed Specialty Coffee Association of Ethiopia Ushers in a New Era to elevate Country's Global Standing
November 29 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
Ethiopia has officially launched the Specialty Coffee Association of Ethiopia (SCAE), a trade group designed to elevate the country's specialty coffee sector and better connect producers with international buyers . The November launch at Addis Ababa's Skylight Hotel brought together key industry stakeholders, including government officials from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ethiopia is widely recognized as the genetic birthplace of arabica coffee and home to thousands of distinct varieties, yet much of this potential "remains unexplored and undervalued," according to the association. The SCAE aims to address this gap by protecting Ethiopia's coffee heritage, improving quality standards, expanding market access, and uncovering more than 10,000 unique coffee varieties believed to exist in the country .
The SCAE is governed by four prominent Ethiopian coffee professionals whose collective experience represents decades of dedication to advancing Ethiopian coffee on the global stage.
Mr. Ashenafi Argaw
Ashenafi Argaw, the newly formed president of SCAE, brings extensive experience to the role. His coffee career is broad notable in leadership positions at Ninety Plus Coffee in the United States, where he served as Global Sales, Logistics, and Operations Director. He founded Ardent Coffee Export in 2018, establishing key partnerships in coffee-growing communities and acquiring farms with wet and dry mills across Sidama, Yirgacheffe, and Guji regions of Ethiopia. His commitment to community is demonstrated through the Ardent Children Center, which supports orphaned children in coffee-growing areas .
Mr. Faysel Abdosh
Vice President of the SCAE and CEO of Testi Specialty Coffee, Faysel Abdosh is a multiple-time Ethiopian Cup of Excellence winner whose deep roots in coffee-growing regions inform his entire operation. Through Testi, he has built a reputation for exceptional micro-lots by fostering direct, transparent relationships with farmers and investing in community projects like schools and clean water wells. His commitment to quality and producer empowerment makes him a pivotal leader in championing Ethiopian coffee on the global stage.
Mr. Kenean Assefa
Kenean Assefa of Daye Bensa Coffee represents a new generation of coffee leadership. As the 29-year-old founder of his coffee company, Kenean leads growth strategy with a focus on promotion and marketing . Under his influence, Daye Bensa has developed software to centralize traceability and quality control, while implementing farmer support programs including technical training, healthcare initiatives, and educational resources. His coffee ranked second in the 2022 Cup of Excellence with a score of 90.25. Beyond coffee, Kenean hosts a popular Amharic-language podcast featuring successful Ethiopian entrepreneurs, which has garnered over 10 million views on YouTube .
Mr. Tamiru Tadesse
Treasurer of SCAE Tamiru Tadesse, the 2021 Ethiopia Cup of Excellence winner, brings a story of remarkable achievement to the board. His company, Alo Coffee, was born from what he calls "a dream—and a leap of faith" . A former university teacher and electrical engineer, Tamiru initially hesitated to start his own coffee venture due to frustrations with unfair pricing and undervalued labor . Ethiopia's first Cup of Excellence competition in 2020 inspired him to prove that Sidama's coffees could stand among the world's best. In 2021, his very first submission won Ethiopia's Cup of Excellence, cementing his belief that dedication shapes greatness . Today, he is recognized as "leading some of the most exciting work around micro lot development in Ethiopia today" .
The SCAE's flagship program, "Best of Ethiopia," will identify and promote standout coffees from throughout the country through specialized auctions . Modeled after successful programs like Panama's "Best of Panama" auction, this initiative aims to provide a premier global platform for Ethiopia's finest coffees, ensuring transparency and rewarding excellence while elevating the value returned to producers.
"Our goal is simple but ambitious," stated SCAE President Ashenafi Argaw. "We want to showcase the best of Ethiopian specialty coffee, strengthen traceability and quality standards, and provide a platform for our producers to be recognized globally" .
The formation of SCAE represents a strategic move within the global specialty coffee sector, where origin countries are increasingly developing their own platforms to capture more value for high-end coffees . This approach has proven successful in other producing nations, where similar auctions have resulted in record prices for small lots while serving as marketing platforms for their coffee sectors overall .
The launch of the Specialty Coffee Association of Ethiopia marks a pivotal moment in the country's coffee history—a movement led by those most deeply connected to the land and its traditions. With the combined expertise of its founding members, the SCAE is positioned to transform how Ethiopian coffee is perceived, valued, and experienced worldwide.
Through their collective commitment to quality, transparency, and producer empowerment, these industry pioneers are ensuring that Ethiopia's extraordinary coffee heritage receives the global recognition it deserves, while building a more sustainable future for the communities behind every bean.