The complete guide to AFCA 2026 in Addis Ababa

International coffee buyers and Ethiopian exporters converge at the 22nd African Fine Coffees Conference & Exhibition on February 4-6, 2026, at Ethiopia's newly opened Addis International Convention Center—the most significant African coffee event in the birthplace of Arabica. With 2,000+ delegates expected, theme "Brewing the Next African Generation," and major market reforms now enabling direct trade, this guide provides everything B2B delegates need to maximize their conference experience and close deals effectively.

The 22nd AFCC&E marks a pivotal moment for African coffee: Ethiopia's first hosting at the state-of-the-art AICC (inaugurated March 2025), combined with recent policy reforms allowing direct trade, creates unprecedented opportunities for international buyers to forge lasting producer relationships.

Key event details:

• Dates: February 4-6, 2026 (Wednesday-Friday)
• Venue: Addis International Convention Center (AICC), CMC Square, Addis Ababa
• Theme: "Brewing the Next African Generation"
• Organizer: African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) with Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority
• Expected Attendance: 2,000+ coffee professionals
• Registration: afca.coffee/conference/registration
• Contact: conference@afca.coffee; +256 (0)414 269140

Key dates leading to the conference include national Taste of Harvest competitions across nine African countries through January 2026, the African Barista Championship application deadline (January 2, 2026), and the Regional Taste of Harvest finals starting February 2, 2026.

The Addis International Convention Center represents a massive upgrade from previous AFCA venues. Located in the eastern CMC Square district on 40 hectares, this $1+ billion complex sits just 15 minutes from Bole International Airport and offers unprecedented capacity for Africa's largest coffee trade event.

Core facilities for conference delegates include:

• Main conference hall: Multi-level space for 3,000 attendees with cutting-edge AV systems
• Eight meeting rooms: Ranging from 50-person workshops to 10,000-capacity combined halls
• Four exhibition halls: Plus 7,000 m² outdoor exhibition space for expanded B2B networking
• Six translation rooms: Supporting multilingual sessions (up to 3 languages simultaneously)
• On-site accommodation: Two 5-star hotels with 1,000+ rooms; 151 serviced apartments
• Business amenities: Restaurants, cafes, business center, WiFi, press facilities, 2,000-vehicle parking

Contact information:

• General inquiries: info@aicc.et; +251-116 670 082
• Event booking: sales@aicc.et
• Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

While the complete daily schedule is released closer to the event, AFCA has confirmed several flagship program elements that define the 2026 experience.

The Regional Taste of Harvest Competition brings top coffees from nine African countries—Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, Malawi, Zambia, and Cameroon—with up to five lots per national competition advancing to regionals. Starting February 2, 2026 (pre-conference), winners are announced at the February 6 Closing Gala. The African Barista Championship, in partnership with La Marzocco, features up to 25 baristas from across Africa competing exclusively with African-grown coffee.

The heart of deal-making activity, the B2B Cupping Pavilion offers continuous opportunities to cup coffees from Africa's top producers and exporters. Algrano confirmed activities include a panel discussion titled "Why Buying from Africa Feels Hard" and open cupping sessions featuring their producer network. They're bringing 20+ roasters/buyers from the US and Europe specifically for the Ethiopia event.

Official networking opportunities span the opening reception through the Closing Gala featuring cultural entertainment, awards presentations, and sponsor recognition. The IWCA Breakfast Fundraiser ($50 USD) supports women in coffee while connecting delegates with industry leaders. The African Coffee Safari offers post-conference field trips to Ethiopia's renowned coffee-growing regions.

Algrano's involvement at AFCA 2026 centers on demystifying direct sourcing from Africa. The Swiss-based platform—connecting 5,500+ registered roasters with 195+ verified producers across 22 countries—brings substantial experience addressing the friction points international buyers face.

The "Why Buying from Africa Feels Hard" session addresses challenges that have historically deterred direct sourcing: logistics complexity, quality variability, payment risks, and documentation requirements. Key topics include full price transparency (Algrano shows complete FOB + shipping + fee breakdowns), flexible ordering (minimums as low as 60kg via shared container systems), and quality assurance through in-house QC labs verifying samples at every checkpoint.

Their team at AFCA 2026 includes Gilles Brunner (Co-founder, Head of Sourcing, Q-grader), Giovanna Rocha (Origin specialist), and Addisu Dulacha Gobana (Ethiopian market specialist). Previous AFCA presentations have featured producers like Emmanuel from Baho Coffee (Rwanda) and Kenneth (Managing Director, Mountain Harvest Limited, Uganda).

Direct trade in African coffee has evolved significantly, particularly after Ethiopia's 2017-2019 market reforms. Buyers can now purchase directly from producers or washing stations without mandatory ECX trading. Over 100 licensed Ethiopian farmers now export independently, and cooperatives can export without going through unions. For buyers, this means 30-40% higher farmer payments (per Algrano survey data), more stable pricing (twice as stable as futures markets over three years), and deeper traceability for EUDR compliance.

Addis Ababa offers sophisticated options for hosting meetings with Ethiopian exporters or entertaining international partners. The following venues combine professional atmosphere, reliable WiFi, and cuisine quality suitable for B2B discussions.

Premium options for closing deals

Marcus Addis Restaurant & Sky Bar

• Location: CBE Tower, 47th Floor
• Why it works: Private dining rooms, 360° city views, Africa's finest fusion cuisine; celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson's flagship
• Price range: $$$$ (~7,150 ETB full meal)

Castelli's Italian Restaurant

• Location: Piazza (unmarked brown door)
• Why it works: "Best Italian in Africa," unchanged since 1948, ultra-exclusive, quiet for negotiations
• Price range: $$$$

Jade Restaurant (Sheraton)

• Location: Taitu Street
• Why it works: Pan-Asian fine dining, teppanyaki private groups, hotel business amenities
• Price range: $$$$

C-PREM

• Location: Bole Atlas
• Why it works: "If Addis had a Michelin star"—book days ahead, allow 3+ hours
• Price range: $$$$

La Mandoline

• Location: Near Atlas Hotel
• Why it works: French fine dining, intimate setting for serious negotiations
• Price range: $$$

For entertaining Ethiopian exporters in familiar settings or impressing first-time visitors with authentic cuisine:

Yod Abyssinia

• Location: Bole/Karl Square
• Experience: Traditional cuisine with cultural performances starting 7:30 PM
• Best for: Relationship-building dinners

2000 Habesha

• Location: Bole Atlas
• Experience: Less touristy than Yod; where locals celebrate
• Best for: Authentic atmosphere

Addis Ababa Restaurant

• Location: Piazza
• Experience: Incense-filled mystique, truly traditional
• Best for: Cultural immersion

Cascara Coffee (Hyatt Regency)

• Features: Coffee-infused cocktails, courtyard setting
• Business use: Perfect for industry conversations

Kaldi's Coffee (multiple locations)

• Features: Reliable WiFi, comfortable seating, familiar café format
• Business use: Morning meetings, work sessions

Tomoca (Piazza original)

• Features: Historic, iconic, standing room only
• Business use: Quick introductions, cultural credibility

The Sheraton Addis (Stagioni Italian, Shaheen Indian, Jade Asian, Summerfields all-day) offers proximity to government offices, full meeting facilities, and private dining at Les Arcades. Hyatt Regency near Meskel Square provides nine meeting rooms plus the Cascara Coffee courtyard—excellent for coffee-focused meetings near UNECA and the African Union.

Professional coffee buyers should prioritize visiting Addis Ababa's cupping facilities for quality assessment and relationship development. Several world-class labs welcome visiting buyers, especially during cupping season (December-March).

Royal Coffee Addis Ababa (opened 2025)

• Offers: The most buyer-friendly professional cupping experience
• Location: Garad Building, Wollo Sefer (5 minutes from Bole Airport)
• Team: Led by Haileyesus Andualem with Q-grader Segenet Gashaw
• Policy: "Warmly extends an open invitation to customers visiting Addis Ababa to connect, cup coffees, and experience this exciting new chapter firsthand"

Moplaco Trading/Galani Coffee

• Combines: Ethiopia's oldest exporter (founded 1971) with a modern third-wave café showcase
• Leadership: Director Heleanna Georgalis (4th generation producer)
• Facility: 4,000+ square meter processing facility capable of 20 metric tons daily
• Contact: Professional cupping available by appointment; info@galanicoffee.com or +251 905 055 565

ECTA Coffee Training Center

• Significance: Africa's first state-of-the-art government coffee training facility
• Partnership: Built through collaboration with illycaffè's Università del Caffè
• Services: Brewing, roasting, and sensory laboratories; international trainees welcome for professional certification courses

Tomoca Coffee (22+ branches)

• Significance: Ethiopia's first commercial roaster (1953); "taste history and coffee"
• What to expect: Italian-style preparation, signature Sprice (coffee-tea fusion), wood-fired roasting

Garden of Coffee

• Significance: Woman-owned pioneer of "Origin Trade"; won ECTA's #1 Value Added Exporter
• What to expect: Roast-to-order by named artisans, digital origin display, traditional ceremony elements

Mokarar Coffee (Piazza)

• Significance: 38+ years on same Italian roaster; Harar specialty
• What to expect: Standing coffee bar, Mulu Demessie master roaster since 1980s

Snap Coffee (Tropiq Lab)

• Specialty: Yirgacheffe micro-regions (Danche, Aricha, Riripa)
• Contact approach: Through Snap Plaza headquarters

Ambassa Enterprises

• Specialty: Historic exporter since 1974; Harrar, Yirgacheffe focus
• Facilities: Cupping room available

Walter Matter

• Specialty: Swiss trading company; Q-grader evaluations
• Access: Through Addis office

Spiral Labs

• Specialty: Third-party grading and scoring services
• Website: spirallabs.co

AFCA conferences deliver exceptional networking value through both structured events and "corridor conversations" that industry veterans describe as where real deals originate.

Pre-conference: The Regional Taste of Harvest Competition starts February 2, drawing serious quality-focused buyers and producers two days before official proceedings. Daily: The B2B Cupping Pavilion operates throughout conference hours—arrive early for serious sourcing conversations. Evening events: The IWCA Breakfast Fundraiser ($50) connects you with industry leaders, while the February 6 Closing Gala combines cultural entertainment, Taste of Harvest awards, and informal deal-making atmosphere.

Before arrival: Join AFCA membership for access to the Member Directory and pre-conference outreach (contact phiona.mbabazi@afca.coffee). Research exhibitor lists and reach out to target contacts via LinkedIn. Prepare specific questions about regions, processing methods, and volumes.

During conference: Bring ample business cards—digital QR codes increasingly accepted but physical cards remain standard. WhatsApp exchanges are common for ongoing communication in African coffee networks. Focus on the exhibition floor for targeted exhibitor meetings and cupping sessions for quality-focused conversations.

Post-conference follow-up: Send thank-you emails within 48 hours. Request and evaluate samples within 2-4 weeks. Use WhatsApp for ongoing contact. Plan origin visits to build deeper relationships. Start with trial containers to establish trust.

• Distance from AICC: 15-20 minutes
• Why it matters: Houses the 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor fossil—essential context for coffee's birthplace

• Distance from AICC: 20 minutes
• Why it matters: Ethiopia's largest Orthodox church; Emperor Haile Selassie's tomb; guided tours available

• Distance from AICC: 20-25 minutes
• Why it matters: Highland park at 3,000m with panoramic city views; quality cafés, restaurants, hotels

• Distance from AICC: 20-25 minutes
• Why it matters: Africa's largest open-air market; excellent for coffee samples and gifts

• Distance from AICC: 15 minutes
• Why it matters: Architecture, history, gardens, wildlife

Local roasters sell beans from all Ethiopian regions at significantly lower prices than international retail. Traditional Ethiopian coffee baskets (used for carrying cherries) make distinctive gifts. Merkato offers bulk purchasing opportunities. Most export companies can arrange sample purchases through their sales teams.

Major coffee-growing regions (Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Guji) are 350+ kilometers from Addis Ababa—not feasible for day trips during a three-day conference. The African Coffee Safari post-conference excursions offer the best opportunity for origin visits. Alternatively, plan multi-day trips for after February 6; tour operators include ShebaLand Tours, Coffee Tours Ethiopia, and Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours.

US Citizens:

• Requirement: E-Visa required
• Process: Apply at evisa.gov.et; 3 business days processing

EU Citizens:

• Requirement: E-Visa or visa-on-arrival at Bole Airport
• Process: E-Visa recommended for efficiency

African Union nationals:

• Requirement: Visa on arrival
• Process: Available at Bole Airport

Kenya and Djibouti nationals:

• Requirement: Visa exempt
• Process: No visa required

Business e-visas (30 days, single entry) require passport valid 6+ months, passport photo, and may require invitation letter from AFCA or host organization. Entry ONLY through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for e-visa holders.

AICC On-Site Hotels

• Distance to AICC: 0 minutes (on-site)
• Price range: $$$$
• Key amenities: 1,000+ rooms, serviced apartments, direct venue access

Sheraton Addis

• Distance to AICC: 20 minutes
• Price range: From $203/night
• Key amenities: 24-hour business center, 10 dining options, airport shuttle

Hyatt Regency

• Distance to AICC: 15 minutes
• Price range: From $168/night
• Key amenities: Near UNECA, spa, pool, Cascara Coffee

Hilton Addis

• Distance to AICC: 20 minutes
• Price range: From $153/night
• Key amenities: 15-acre grounds, geothermal pool, near ECA Convention Center

Radisson Blu

• Distance to AICC: 15 minutes
• Price range: From $121/night
• Key amenities: Central location, excellent breakfast, professional staff

Harmony Hotel

• Distance to AICC: Near Bole
• Price range: From $57/night
• Key amenities: 9th-floor restaurant, spa, excellent value

Transportation: Use the Ride app (Ethiopian equivalent of Uber) or ZayRide for safe, convenient travel. Avoid public minibuses. Hotel shuttles to airport are often complimentary. AICC accessible via East-West light rail line.

February is dry season—one of the best months to visit. At 2,400m elevation, expect mild temperatures year-round:

• Daytime highs: 23-25°C (73-77°F)
• Evening lows: 8-10°C (46-50°F)
• Rainfall: Minimal (~16mm for month)
• Humidity: Low (~51%)

• Light layers for day-to-night temperature swings
• Light jacket for air-conditioned venues and evenings
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (strong UV at altitude)
• Formal business attire (suits and conservative colors)

Note that altitude of 8,000 feet may cause mild effects—drink plenty of water.

Ethiopian Birr (ETB) is the only accepted currency. Exchange rate approximately 60 ETB = $1 USD (verify current rates). Cash is essential—credit cards accepted only at major hotels and high-end establishments. ATMs available at Bole Airport, major banks, and hotels but can be unreliable. Black market exchange is illegal with heavy penalties. Entry/exit limit: $3,000 USD equivalent without declaration.

Ethio Telecom operates a 24-hour shop at Bole Airport—purchase SIM cards with passport (cash only; USD, EUR, GBP accepted). eSIM is NOT available for tourists. Data coverage is good in Addis but may be limited outside cities. Download offline maps before traveling. Hotel WiFi is generally reliable but can be slow.

Greetings are formal and prolonged—inquire about family and health before business. Use titles (Ato for Mr., Woizero for Mrs.). Meetings may not have fixed end times; don't schedule back-to-back. Coffee is central to business culture—accept graciously when offered, and allow 30+ minutes for traditional ceremonies (three rounds: Abol, Tona, Baraka symbolize connection and blessings). Speaking in soft tones is appropriate; indirect communication style prevails.

• Restaurants: 10-15% even with service charge included
• Hotel porters: 10-20 ETB per bag
• Taxi drivers: Round up
• Tour guides: 100-200 ETB daily

Ethiopia produced a record 11.6 million 60-kg bags in 2025/26 (USDA forecast)—a 9% increase—with exports reaching $2.65 billion in the fiscal year ending July 2025. The country's goal: become the world's second-largest coffee exporter by 2033 with $4 billion annual exports. For international buyers, recent market reforms represent a generational opportunity:

• Direct trade now permitted: Individuals and small enterprises can obtain export licenses
• Cooperatives can export directly: No longer required to go through unions
• Over 100 licensed farmers now export independently
• Private exporters can own washing stations and bypass ECX
• 20 new international markets opened in 2025

Yirgacheffe

• Altitude: 1,700-2,200m
• Processing: Washed
• Flavor profile: Floral, citrus, tea-like, bright (bergamot, jasmine, lemon)

Sidamo/Sidama

• Altitude: 1,500-2,200m
• Processing: Washed/Natural
• Flavor profile: Bright acidity, fruity, balanced (blackcurrant, cherry)

Guji

• Altitude: 1,800-2,300m
• Processing: Washed/Natural
• Flavor profile: Fruit-forward, floral (stone fruit, tropical, honey)

Harar

• Altitude: 1,500-2,000m
• Processing: Natural
• Flavor profile: Bold, winey, full-bodied (blueberry, chocolate, wine)

Limu

• Altitude: 1,400-2,000m
• Processing: Washed
• Flavor profile: Milder, balanced, subtle floral

All coffee entering the EU must now be deforestation-free, legally sourced, and fully traceable to farm-level GPS coordinates. Ethiopia launched the Ethiopian Coffee Traceability Management System (ECTMS) in October 2025—enabling full traceability from farm to export gate via mobile app geolocating every coffee farm. Buyers should ask potential suppliers about their ECTMS integration and documentation capabilities.

AFCA serves as the starting point for relationships rather than immediate contract execution. Expect initial introductions and sample requests, quality evaluation agreements at cupping sessions, direct sourcing arrangement discussions with cooperatives and exporters, long-term supply partnership conversations, and sustainability program partnership development.

Top exporters to seek out:

• Daye Bensa Coffee Export PLC
• Testi Trading PLC
• Kerchanshe Trading PLC

Cooperative unions:

• OCFCU: 405 cooperatives, 370,000+ farmer households, Ethiopia's largest organic coffee exporter
• YCFCU: 23 cooperatives, 300,000+ families in Yirgacheffe
• SCFCU: 51 cooperatives in Sidama

Ethiopia sets weekly minimum export price floors linked to international markets. Premiums of 15-30% above standard grades are common for specialty lots. Export prices reached 423 cents/lb in April 2025. Prices are quoted in US cents per pound. Fair Trade and organic certifications command additional premiums.

This guide reflects information available as of January 11, 2026. Program details, prices, and logistics should be verified closer to the conference date. For official registration and updates, visit afca.coffee/conference.