Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) and the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Topics addressed include commitments to collaborate and acknowledgement of aligning values.
“CQI has a long history of working in Africa and working with AFCA, through this MOU, is indicative of our continued commitment to support producers in the region. We have great respect for AFCA and believe it is well placed to support the services CQI would like to make available to its member countries and entities,” said Bridget Carrington, Interim Chief Executive Officer at Coffee Quality Institute. “By working together, we can offer the best opportunities for professional skills building at the right level and in the right locations, whilst always looking to expand this work in the future.”
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The African Fine Coffees Association represents the coffee sectors of eleven countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their core activities include trade and market expansion and quality and product enhancement. Capacity building and training are a part of their mission.
“Getting practical, professional education to our members is a real priority for AFCA,” added Gilbert Gatali, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the African Fine Coffees Association. “We have a history of partnering with CQI to improve producer outcomes, and this memorandum will be a guide for our organizations to act together.”
The organizations will collaborate on activities to include:
• Building professional skills and product knowledge.
• Developing CQI Educators and Q Instructors in AFCA member countries.
• Supporting the development of AFCA’s coffee lab in the Kampala office, including Q Venue certification, so that future courses and training can be delivered at the AFCA lab.
• Collaborating on CQI-AFCA Q Community activities.
• Supporting green coffee buyer origin trips and market access activities.
CQI and AFCA will work together soon on sensory training and Q Grader re-certification, to occur in Kampala, Uganda.
