Elevating Ethiopian coffee through knowledge and quality

Ansha’s journey in coffee began far from the bustling capital, in Ethiopia’s remote rural regions, where she worked directly with farmers.  

‘I studied agriculture in Jimma and was sent to a rural area after graduating,’ Ansha recalls. ‘There was no electricity, no drinking water – it was tough. But I saw first-hand how coffee was not just a crop but a lifeline for farmers and their families.’  

Inspired by these experiences, she committed herself to improving the industry from the ground up, ensuring that Ethiopian coffee farmers could maximize their earnings through better quality and direct market connections.   

From field to market: A vision for coffee excellence   

Ethiopia, the birthplace of Arabica coffee, is renowned for its diverse and complex flavour profiles. Yet, for many smallholder farmers, inconsistent quality and limited access to international buyers pose significant challenges.  

Ansha, a top certified grader and coffee processing expert, has made it her mission to bridge this gap.   

COQUA Trading is one of only labs in Ethiopia that’s attained the prestigious Q-certification. There, she offers consulting services that link Ethiopian coffee producers with global buyers. She works with cooperatives, NGOs, exporters, and the government to enhance coffee quality, improve traceability, and ensure compliance with international standards.   

‘Our coffee is beautiful,’ she says with conviction. ‘But poor agronomy, processing, and harvesting methods can quickly deteriorate its quality. That’s why training is so important. We don’t just tell farmers what to do – we cup their coffee, provide feedback, and empower them with knowledge to improve their yields and prices.’ 

This dedication to farmer education aligns with her work with the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTFV) programme in Ethiopia. With ITC’s Alliances for Action initiative, Ansha trains coffee producers in sustainable farming, post-harvest processing, and quality improvement, all with the goal of securing better market prices.   

‘In the end, better coffee quality means better incomes,’ she explains. ‘When farmers earn more, they can send their children to school, improve their living conditions, and reinvest in their farms. That’s what motivates me.’ 

Breaking barriers and building networks  

Despite her expertise, Ansha has faced challenges in the traditionally male-dominated coffee industry.  

‘When I visit farms, men often trust my assistant more than me – simply because he is a man,’ she says. ‘It takes time to prove myself. But once they see the results, their mindset changes.’   

This drive to uplift women in coffee extends to her leadership role in the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Ethiopia Chapter.  

‘Most of the coffee processing in Ethiopia – from harvesting to sorting – is done by women. Yet, they earn far less than men. We need to support each other, build our skills, and ensure women in coffee get the recognition and opportunities they deserve.’   

Looking ahead, Ansha envisions COQUA Trading not just as a consulting firm but as a centre of excellence for coffee education in Ethiopia. With her lab now certified, she is working towards training the next generation of coffee professionals, exporters, and quality specialists.  

‘Lab equipment is expensive, and we had to fund it ourselves,’ she says. ‘But this investment is for the future – because knowledge is the key to unlocking Ethiopia’s coffee potential.’ 

As Ethiopia continues to navigate the evolving global coffee landscape, leaders like Ansha are ensuring that the country’s coffee producers are not just participants but true competitors in the international market.  

Through training, advocacy, and a relentless pursuit of quality, she is helping to shape a more sustainable and prosperous future for Ethiopian coffee.