From the 2025 Africa Barista Competition. All images courtesy of AFCA.
The 21st African Fine Coffees Conference & Exhibition recently concluded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, shining a light on some of the finest coffees and most talented baristas throughout the region.
Produced by the nonprofit African Fine Coffees Association — which has chapters in 11 African coffee-producing countries — the event celebrated coffee producers through the 2024/2025 Regional Taste of Harvest green coffee competition.
This year’s Taste of Harvest competition featured 96 Arabica and Robusta coffee samples from eight countries. Head Judge Mukayisenga Grace of Hills Coffee Lab Rwanda led a panel of six regional and international judges for the event.
2024/2025 Regional Taste of Harvest Coffee Competition Winners
Top 3 Winners – Washed Arabica
1) Nardos Coffee Export (Ethiopia)
2) ES Coffee (Ethiopia)
3) New KPCU (Kenya)
Top 3 Winners – Natural Arabica
1) Lulo Coffee (Ethiopia)
2) Demelash Bekele (Ethiopia)
3) Mountain Harvest SMC Ltd (Uganda)
Top 3 Winners – Honey Processed Arabica
1) Mountain Harvest SMC Ltd (Uganda)
2) Kebir Coffee Export (Ethiopia)
3) Yihonal Trading (Ethiopia)
Top 3 Winners – Robusta Coffee
1) Ubumwe (Tanzania)
2 – tie) Ankole Coffee Producers Cooperative Union (Uganda)
2 – tie) Terrific Coffee (Cameroon)
3) Terrific Coffee (Cameroon)
The AFCA is hosting a “Meet The Winners” webinar on April 8.
Baristas, meanwhile, brought fine coffees to even finer conclusions through the Africa Barista Championship. Several of the competitors will be representing their respective nations on the world stage at the SCA’s World Barista Championship (WBC).
Twenty-two baristas from 12 African countries competed for the title this year, with 14 regional and international coffee experts judging technical skill, creativity, and sensory evaluation. Régine Guion-Firmin, an SCA-certified trainer based in Kenya, and owner of Mau Mau Kahawa Ltd, served as head judge.
2025 Africa Barista Championship Winners
1) Stevo Kühn, South Africa
2) Ibrahim Kiganda, Uganda
3) Teresia Maina, Kenya
“These competitions not only showcase the incredible talent and craftsmanship within Africa’s coffee industry but also drive quality and innovation,” AFCA Executive Director Gilbert Gatali said in an announcement from the group. “They provide a platform for companies and individuals to access new markets, elevate their careers, and expand business opportunities. Beyond the competition, the experience itself fosters learning, collaboration, and long-term professional growth for all participants.”
Prior to the barista championship, the AFCA and numerous partners — including the International Trade Centre’s Alliances for Action, La Marzocco, and Atom Coffee Hub — held a two-day barista bootcamp, which is expected to be the first of many from the AFCA.
Experts including Guion-Firmin, Sara Yirga (YA Coffee Roasters), Smayah Uwajeneza (Elevate Through Coffee), Erika Koss (A World in Your Cup Consulting) helped lead the bootcamp, with call-ins from representatives of U.S.-based companies Cxffeeblack and Black & White Coffee Roasters. According to the AFCA, the bootcamp helped more than 20 baristas refine technical skills, improve sensory analysis and prepare to meet protocols for WBC.
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