Lioness Spotlight
For true coffee enthusiasts, Africa is much more than the birthplace of coffee—it’s the soul of the global coffee story. From Ethiopia’s ancient highlands, where coffee cultivation began, to the bustling farms and cooperatives that dot the continent today, Africa’s coffee heritage is as rich and nuanced as the flavors it produces.
But there’s an exciting new chapter brewing in this age-old story. Across Africa, a dynamic group of women entrepreneurs is reshaping the coffee landscape. These trailblazing women are building innovative, proudly African coffee brands that honor tradition while driving progress.
More than just business owners, they are change-makers—empowering local farmers, uplifting cooperatives, and championing sustainable practices. By fostering local supply chains, creating jobs, and introducing African coffee to the world in bold, authentic ways, they are transforming their communities and the industry at large.
For coffee lovers who want to enjoy their brew with purpose, these six remarkable women are crafting more than coffee—they’re shaping a future rooted in equity, sustainability, and pride in Africa’s coffee legacy. Meet the women redefining how the world experiences African coffee, one cup at a time.
Chiswara, reinventing the coffee supply chain through technology to benefit Kenya’s coffee farmers
Catherine Mahugu is a globally acclaimed entrepreneur. She is a software engineer by profession and change-maker by passion. Catherine is a certified human-centred design expert, a skill she acquired at Stanford University. Currently, she is the founder of Chiswara, a tech-enabled specialty coffee company launched in 2018 that offers an equitable coffee experience for both local farmers and global consumers. Partners committed to the company's growth and impact include Alibaba, UNCTAD, and IFC.