Women in Coffee in Africa

ITC, in cooperation with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA), supports the establishment of women’s associations in the coffee sector, so-called IWCA country chapters.  The project focuses primarily on East Africa.  IWCA chapters empower women in the coffee sector through a national and international network of peers – a way of cooperating that has worked well in Central America for several years.

Through the chapters women work together to solve issues they face collectively, advancing socially and economically.  The project includes components on leadership training, micro-finance and branding and is available to coffee entrepreneurs primarily in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. 

Key partners:     

• International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA)

• Eastern African Fine Coffees Association (EAFCA).  

Further information:

• Women in Coffee (employment and ownership), International Trade Forum, 2008, Issue 3&4  

• Women’s Ownership in the Coffee Industry – Discussions at the UN in New York, 4C Newsletter, July 2010, page 4  

• International Women’s Day in ITC and WTO, 8 March 2011 

Women in Coffee in Africa project ran by the International Trade Centre under the Women and Trade Programme