Celebrating a New Era of Collaboration: IWCA and AFCA Sign MoU

We are thrilled to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IWCA and African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA). This landmark partnership signifies a shared commitment to empowering women in the coffee industry and fostering thriving communities across coffee-growing regions.

At IWCA, our mission is to empower women in the international coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives and to encourage and recognize the participation of women in all aspects of the coffee industry. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, we work tirelessly to create opportunities for women and support the economic development of their communities.

AFCA is dedicated to promoting and supporting the specialty coffee industry in Eastern Africa. AFCA's functions include creating economic hubs through specialty coffee networks, promoting quality from tree to cup with rigorous education and certification, advocating for coffee-friendly policies, promoting African specialty coffees to global consumers, coordinating with research institutions to improve coffee quality, and ensuring smallholder producers gain fair market value for their specialty produce.

The synergy between IWCA and AFCA is evident in our shared goals and missions. Both organizations aim to uplift coffee producers, with a particular focus on women and smallholder farmers. By combining our strengths, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable coffee industry.

Our joint goals include coordinating coffee promotion programs, bringing together professionals to find solutions to industry challenges, establishing support systems for growers, advocating for beneficial policy reforms, harmonizing certification and logistics practices, collaborating with research networks to improve coffee quality, and promoting domestic coffee consumption within the Eastern African region.

At the IWCA Reception during World of Coffee Copenhagen, the signing of the MoU with AFCA was a significant highlight. Gilbert Gatali, Executive Director of AFCA, and Blanca Castro, Executive Director of IWCA, formally signed the agreement. Gatali, a seasoned coffee professional with a background as the former managing director at Rwanda Small Holder Specialty Coffee Company (Rwashoscco) and founding partner of KZ Noir, brings valuable expertise to this partnership aimed at empowering women coffee producers and fostering thriving communities across Eastern Africa.

This partnership is a significant step toward realizing our vision of a coffee industry where women are empowered and communities thrive. By working together, IWCA and AFCA will enhance the economic opportunities for women in coffee and ensure that smallholder producers receive fair value for their efforts.

We look forward to the exciting projects and initiatives that will emerge from this collaboration. Together, we will continue to champion the cause of women in coffee, drive quality and innovation, and promote the incredible coffees of Africa on the global stage.