A new industry body, the Specialty Coffee Association of Ethiopia (SCAE), has been established to promote Ethiopian specialty coffee on the world stage, strengthen quality and traceability standards, and open greater opportunities for producers, exporters, and the wider coffee ecosystem. The association is led by its president, Ashenafi Argaw. SCAE stated that Ethiopia, home of Arabica and a centre of unmatched genetic diversity, plans to safeguard its coffee heritage and secure the international recognition its varieties warrant. As part of this ambition, the association will lead "Best of Ethiopia," a national programme designed to identify and promote standout coffees through professional evaluation and expanded market reach. Plans include scaling farmer support through training, sustainability initiatives, research, and quality-driven development programmes to reinforce Ethiopia’s long-term leadership in the specialty segment. The launch brought together farmers, exporters, cooperatives, researchers, government officials, and industry partners, signalling a unified push to advance Ethiopian coffee. Through auctions, stronger global visibility, and persistent advocacy for the value of Ethiopian coffee, the association intends to sharpen the country's position in the international specialty market.

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